Binary code: Mystery number one - стр. 43

The U.S. system Operation Looking Glass, or "Looking Glass": air command centers of the U.S. Strategic Air Command on Boeing EC-135C aircraft. 24 hours a day, two Looking Glass aircraft are constantly in the air – one over the Atlantic and the other over the Pacific. The crews are on constant alert to assume command of strategic nuclear forces in the event that ground command centers are defeated. The VCPs are currently on duty at 4 airbases in constant readiness for takeoff.

Ruthra knew what the Perimeter system was before. But why was it the world's number one problem? Although, judging by its purpose, it very well could be.

– What do you want to know about her? – I heard General Ivashov's voice behind me.

Rutra was not confused.

– Everything. And more details," he replied, turning around in his chair. – Everything.

– And more details?

– Yes. Anything you know. It's important to me.

Rutra invited the old military specialist into his office and asked him to sit down. He began to tell everything he knew about the system without charging a price.

– The Perimeter system remains the only weapon in the world that guarantees a retaliatory nuclear strike against the enemy, even in the nightmare event that we no longer have anyone to decide on that strike. The unique system counterattacks automatically – and brutally. The Perimeter system is nicknamed "the dead hand" in the West and "the hand from the coffin" in the East. This is the control system of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Strategic Missile Forces. In documents it was named "Perimeter". The system was supposed to create such technical means and software that would allow in any conditions, even the most unfavorable, to bring the order to launch missiles directly to the launch teams. According to the idea of the creators of the system could prepare and launch missiles even if everyone died and there would be no one to give the order. This component became unofficially known as the "dead hand". That's the main thing I know about it.

– Not the main one? And what exactly is the problem?

– The problem is this: the logic of the dead hand's actions implies regular collection and processing of a huge amount of information. All sorts of information is received from all sorts of sensors. For example, about the state of communication lines with the higher command center: there is communication – no communication. On the radiation situation in the surrounding area: normal radiation level – increased radiation level. About the presence of people at the starting position: there are people – no people. About registered nuclear explosions and so on. "Dead Hand" has the ability to analyze changes in the military and political situation in the world. The system evaluates the commands received over a certain period of time, and on this basis can conclude that something is wrong in the world. When the system decides that its time has come, it will activate and launch a command to prepare for the launch of missiles. At the same time, the "dead hand" cannot start active actions in peacetime. Even if there is no communication, even if the entire combat team leaves the launch position, there are still a lot of other parameters that block the system. After the order received from the highest levels of control to a special command post, the command missile with a special head is launched, which in flight transmits launch commands to all launchers and command posts that have appropriate receivers. The command missile is the only widely known component of the system. The system is designed to guarantee the launch of silo-mounted intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles in the event that, as a result of a crushing nuclear strike by the enemy against Soviet territory, all command units capable of ordering a retaliatory strike are destroyed.