When: 1960sInteresting article about a Russian "Doomsday" device, too. I don't buy that they would have built a system that automatically launched ICBM-delivered Nuclear Holocaust (especially given the computer and communication technology of the 1970s), but it's an interesting read.
What: Midway through the Cold War, American leaders began to worry that a rogue US officer might launch a small, unauthorized strike, prompting massive retaliation. So in 1962, Robert McNamara ordered every nuclear weapon locked with numerical codes.
Effect: None. Irritated by the restriction, Strategic Air Command set all the codes to strings of zeros. The Defense Department didn't learn of the subterfuge until 1977.
Hat tip: Rick, via email.
3 comments:
Luckily, those systems were not networked to some vast world wide cluster+++k that would have allowed anyone from dedicated Chinese government hackers to 14 year old script kiddies to enter launch codes.
I am still unsure that the current idea of attaching everything to the network and inviting the public has any long term viability. Stand alone systems and isolated networks have the primary advantage of being stand alone and isolated.
Irritated by the restriction, Strategic Air Command set all the codes to strings of zeros. The Defense Department didn't learn of the subterfuge until 1977.
Somebody shoulda gone to jail.
I read the linked article a couple of days ago. I believe the Russkies might well have _tried_ to build such a system. I'm rather less ready to believe they actually got it _working_.
Dr. Strangelove, anyone?
Someone whispered into Kubrick's ear... heh...
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