Launch on warning facts for kids

Launch on warning (LOW) is a military plan for using nuclear weapons. It became well-known during the Cold War, a long period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Under the LOW plan, a country would launch its nuclear missiles very quickly. This would happen as soon as they got a warning that enemy missiles were on their way. The idea was to strike back before the enemy's missiles could even hit.

What is Launch on Warning?

Launch on warning means firing nuclear missiles almost immediately. This happens after a country's warning systems detect an incoming enemy attack. The goal is to launch your own missiles before the enemy's bombs explode. This way, your country can still strike back. It's like hitting a "reply" button very, very fast.

This strategy became important because of new weapons. One key invention was the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). These missiles could travel huge distances. They could fly from one continent to another in a short time. This meant there was very little time to decide what to do.

The Cold War and Nuclear Weapons

The Cold War was a period from the end of World War II until about 1991. It was a time of great rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries had many nuclear weapons. These weapons were incredibly powerful. They could destroy entire cities.

Because of this, both sides were very afraid of a nuclear attack. They wanted to make sure they could always strike back. This fear led to different military plans. Launch on warning was one of these plans. It was designed to prevent a surprise attack from wiping out a country's ability to fight back.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

Launch on warning was a big part of a theory called mutually assured destruction (MAD). MAD is a simple but scary idea. It means that if one country attacks with nuclear weapons, the other country will strike back. This counter-attack would be so strong that both countries would be completely destroyed.

So, MAD meant that no country would ever start a nuclear war. Why? Because they knew they would also be destroyed. Launch on warning helped make MAD work. It ensured that even if one side launched an attack, the other side could still retaliate. This made a first strike seem pointless.

Super-Fast Missiles: ICBMs

Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are very long-range missiles. They can carry nuclear warheads. They fly high into space and then come down on their target. Their speed is incredible. They can travel thousands of miles in less than 30 minutes.

Before ICBMs, nuclear bombs were mostly dropped by airplanes. This gave countries more time to react. But with ICBMs, the warning time became very short. This short time made the idea of "launch on warning" seem necessary. It was the only way to ensure a counter-attack.

How Fast Can Missiles Launch?

The speed at which nuclear missiles can be launched is very fast. For example, land-based missiles in the U.S. can reportedly be launched. This can happen within about five minutes. This is after the President makes the decision.

Submarine-based missiles take a little longer. They can be launched within about 15 minutes. This quick response time is crucial for the launch on warning strategy. It means decisions have to be made incredibly fast.

Why is Launch on Warning Important?

The Launch on Warning strategy was a key part of the Cold War. It helped keep a balance of power. It made sure that neither side felt they could win a nuclear war. This helped prevent a full-scale nuclear conflict.

However, it also carries risks. A false alarm could lead to a nuclear war by mistake. Because of this, warning systems must be extremely accurate. The strategy highlights the serious nature of nuclear weapons. It shows how countries tried to manage the threat of global destruction.