In relation to
nuclear warfare
Nuclear warfare, also known as atomic warfare, is a theoretical military conflict or prepared political strategy that deploys nuclear weaponry. Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction; in contrast to conventional warfare, nuclear ...
, nuclear fratricide denotes the inadvertent destruction of nuclear warheads or their delivery systems by detonations from other warheads in the same attack. The blast,
EMP and debris cloud may knock them off course, cause damage or destroy them.
[James J. Wirtz, Fratricide. In Weapons of Mass Destruction, eds. Eric A. Croddy, James J. Wirtz, Jeffrey A. Larsen. ABC-Clio 2004, p.139]
Theory
Estimating fratricidal effects is complex. One source states that "It appears that two weapons targeted on a silo must arrive at least ten seconds apart to avoid fratricidal fireball effects, and less than one minute or more than one hour apart to avoid fratricidal nuclear dust cloud effects." Hence "deconflicting" attack patterns and using staggered "walking barrages" became part of U.S. and Soviet nuclear tactics.
This theory was put forward as a defense mechanism for the
LGM-118 Peacekeeper
The LGM-118 Peacekeeper, originally known as the MX for "Missile, Experimental", was a MIRV-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) produced and deployed by the United States from 1985 to 2005. The missile could carry up to twelve Mark ...
missile deployment, reasoning that multiple detonations would be required to knock out an entire battery of missiles if sufficiently protected. This strategy was ultimately rejected though, as enemy launches can be staggered through time to ensure warheads reach their target with enough delay between them to prevent the phenomenon.
This method of using staggered launch was described by a
missile combat crew
A missile combat crew (MCC), is a team of highly trained specialists, often called missileers, staffing Intermediate Range and Intercontinental ballistic missile systems (IRBMs and ICBMs, respectively). In the United States, personnel, officially c ...
, whose members revealed that on receiving a launch command ''"Some
issilesfly immediately, some with a delay to prevent nuclear fratricide when the bombs approach their targets in 20 to 30 minutes.''".
[(John Noonan)]
In Nuclear Silos, Death Wears a Snuggie
Wired Magazine
''Wired'' (stylized as ''WIRED'') is a monthly American magazine, published in print and online editions, that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered in San Fr ...
, 14 Jan 2011
References
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Nuclear weapons