Saturday, 1 September 2018

How a 60-year-old BBC radio show may be one of the only things keeping the world from nuclear war

UK nuclear subarmineAndrew Linnett/MoD Crown Copyright via Getty Images

  • The UK's nuclear arsenal is housed on four submarines, with one of those submarines on patrol at all times.
  • During their isolated missions, crews watch for signals that the UK still exists — and may launch a counter-attack if they believe their country has been destroyed.
  • One of these signs is whether BBC Radio 4 is still broadcasting the "Today" programme, Britain's flagship news and politics show.
  • If the submarine commander believes Britain has been destroyed, he may be under orders to launch a nuclear strike.

Deep underwater, on submarines equipped with nuclear missiles, British crews are constantly prepared to fire their weapons, and potentially play a part in bringing about the end of the world.

Sailors on the four Vanguard-class submarines which patrol the waters and hold the UK's nuclear deterrent operate under strict protocol for working out when to act and what to do — part of which is said to include listening to BBC radio.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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