Fail-deadly
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Fail-deadly is a concept in nuclear military strategy that encourages deterrence by guaranteeing an immediate, automatic, and overwhelming response to an attack, even if there is no one to trigger such retaliation. The term fail-deadly was coined as a contrast to fail-safe.
Military usage
Fail-deadly operation is an example of
nuclear deterrence, policies and procedures controlling the retaliatory strike authorize launch even if the existing command and control structure has already been neutralized by a first strike. The deterrent efficacy of such a system clearly depends on other nuclear-armed nations having foreknowledge of it. The Soviet Union used a fail-deadly system known as Dead Hand (codenamed "Perimeter"); after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia
retained the system (although it is now only activated in times of crisis).
Fail-deadly can refer to specific technology components, or the controls system as a whole. The United Kingdom's fail-deadly policies delegate strike authority to submarine commanders in the event of a loss of command (using letters of last resort), ensuring that even when uncoordinated, nuclear retaliation can be carried out.[1]
An example of the implementation of such a strategy could be: US Navy
C4I
) networks by any potential adversary.
See also
- AN/DRC-8 Emergency Rocket Communications System
- Dead man's switch
- Doomsday device
- Dr. Strangelove
- Failing badly
- Launch on warning
- Mutual assured destruction (MAD)
- Samson Option
- Special Weapons Emergency Separation System
- Two Generals' Problem
References
- ISBN 9058230066.