Discussion»Questions»History» Small hands/Large hands. What size hand has an advantage when pushing the button to start nuclear war? Is small better than large? Why?
No, it doesn't matter! Obviously no-one will tell you the details of their firing-systems, but one thing that is a myth arising from a metaphor, is that national leaders have their fingers on the switches. They don't. The buttons are near the weapons launchers. The government gives the order to the military units responsible.
I thought there was someone always near the prez who carried a suitcase carrying a device that the prez could use when/if needed? Have you not heard that too Durdle? I'll try to Google it. Thank you for your reply! :)
Oh, I don't know! I didn't think the US President could literally press the button, but I may be wrong.
Certainly from what little has been published, in the UK the Prime Minister (or appropriate deputy I assume) would have to give the order, but the physical firing would be by an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces.
Apart from anything else, the British nuclear-deterrent weapons are on Royal Naval submarines. Very few people know the vessels' positions anywhere in the world's oceans at any given time, and I doubt that includes even Cabinet Ministers; and communications with home are via a Royal Naval command-centre with the appropriate knowledge and equipment. The order to shoot would have to come from Government, but the weapon controls are somewhere in the submarine.
I imagine the US Navy's fleet is similarly discreet.
Durdle 