In message
"Clive Coleman." wrote:

In message , Graeme Wall
writes
Thay's for USN boats, RN boats have to be in contact with Northwood and
thence to Downing Street. Exactly how they get their launch codes is,
for obvious reasons, not widely advertised. However there is alldgedly a
back-up plan whereby a boat captain can launch on his own initiative if
they fail to get the shipping forecast. The twin key system here is that
both he and his first officer have to enter their own codes in order to
arm the launch system.
I can't comment on that because I don't know anything about procedures, I
just remember the fuss at the time, because it cost us so much and could
not be independently operated.

Well it was only acquired as an ego trip for Thatcher, we certainly don't
need it. Just as the new version will be acquired as an ego trip for
Blair/Brown/Cameron whoever actually signs off on it.

--
Graeme Wall
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