Computer Scientist Looks At ICBM Security

An anonymous reader writes "Computer security guru Matt Blaze takes a tour of a decommissioned ICBM complex in Arizona. Cool photos, insightful perspective on two man control, perimeter security, human factors and why we didn't blow ourselves up. From the article: 'The most prominent security mechanism at the Titan site, aside from the multiple layers of thick blast-proof entry doors and the fact that the entire complex is buried underground, was procedural: almost all activities required two person control. Everywhere outside of the kitchen, sleeping quarters and toilet were "no lone zones" where a second person had to be present at all times, even for on-duty members of the launch crews.'"

First Launch!

[Anonymous Coward]

It may take two people to launch an ICBM, but it only takes one troll to launch a first post!

Water

[NoYob]

. Jets at the bottom of the silo spray water at the exhaust flames during a launch to create steam, which dampens the massive sound and vibration created by the engines, preventing damage to the missile surface as it leaves the silo

So, all we'd have to do is turn off the valve from the pond that says "DON'T TURN OFF!" and the missile will ruin itself on launch.

Da?

What if...

[Anonymous Coward]

ICBM Security Looks At Computer Scientist

Soviet Union

[Anonymous Coward]

"fueled and ready to be launched toward the Soviet Union on a few minutes notice."

So what if the Limeys decided to get some revenge for 1776? Or those goddam sneaky cheese-eating rat-bastard French?

Re:And the Futuristic Safety Mechanism Is ...

[tophermeyer]

Yes the buddy system is hardly confined to missile silos. I was a day labourer and factory worker in Oz during the 70's & 80's, standard industrial saftey rules say that no worker is to be alone where machinery or confined spaces are involved.

I had no idea that the Lollipop Guild had such rigorous safety guidelines.

Re:Soviet Union

[Shakrai]

So what if the Limeys decided to get some revenge for 1776?

They already did. It didn't involve nuclear weapons though. They used something far more deadly [wikipedia.org] and destructive.

Re:And the Futuristic Safety Mechanism Is ...

[MrNaz]

Damn bureaucrats. They want a form filled out for *everything*.

Re:And the Futuristic Safety Mechanism Is ...

[rhsanborn]

No, that is strictly prohibited. You must first contact requisitions and request a form H02B, which you must then fill out and submit to indicate your intent to kill your assigned "buddy". You must submit this form to the secretary in charge of discharges and formal executions who will submit it to the CO in charge of resource allocation who must authorize the destruction of military property. If approved, you will be sent form D43C-A to give to the secretary of resource allocation who will submit it to the same CO in charge of resource allocation who will need to approve the assignment of a new "buddy". If approved, your original H02B will be signed and returned to you within 10-15 business days, upon which you need to submit form T98-A which will designate the method you will use to kill your "buddy" and the subsequent steps to handle the cleanup and disposal of the buddy. If any additional resources are needed, please see the previous steps on submitting a form to resource allocation. You will also need to submit a form R7-BDA which gives you authorization for your method of disposal, and form FGH-9B to signify that disposal has been completed.

Re:A Nuclear Family Vacation

[sheehaje]

As a positive of visiting all these sites to write their book, they also now glow in the dark and can heat their food without a microwave.

Re:And the Futuristic Safety Mechanism Is ...

[canajin56]

Wrong hinge. If you open the tumbler, the drawer itself will move, and be stopped by the padlocks through the eyes. If one padlock is off, the other padlock is now a hinge, and you can possibly wedge the drawer open a crack...though not really, since it really can't move very much sideways. So the AC did read the article, obviously, since he's talking about the tumbler, but failed his own SECOND requirement, a basic understanding of physics. Maybe you could bend the drawer in the tracks a bit, but that's beside the point. If one launch officer walked in, he'd be detained or shot immediately for being alone in a "no lone zone". If he found a buddy to get him in there, he'd be shot by the armed guards the second he started trying to force the lock! It's not designed to stop James Bond, who not only has bolt cutters and the combination, but also can shoot hundreds of guards with a silenced PP7 without raising the alarm (or reloading) ;)

Re:I've been inside one of the abandoned sites!

[DerekLyons]

The Titan II ICBM had the distinction of carrying the largest nuclear warhead by a missile...ever! Later the one big warhead were replaced by several smaller mirv warheads.

No, the Titan II was never MIRVed. It was a single warhead missile over it's entire service life.
 

"You've just launched a motherfukin nuclear missile and started World War III and doomed mankind...It's Miller Time!"

T shirts we had while I was serving as a Navy missile fire control tech back in the 80's:

• "Sixteen empty tubes, sixteen mushroom clouds, Miller Time!"
• "UGM-96A, when you care enough to send the very best"
• "Trident-I Backfit - when it absolutely has to be there overnight"