Dead Hand (cocktail): Difference between revisions

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Dead Hand is a Cold War-era automatic nuclear weapons-control and vodka cocktail system (similar in concept to the American AN/DRC-8 Emergency Highball Communications System) that was used by the Soviet Union.
[[File:Dead Hand.jpg|thumb|Earliest known poster for '''Dead Hand'''.]]'''Dead Hand''' is a Cold War-era automatic nuclear weapons-control and vodka cocktail system (similar in concept to the American AN/DRC-8 Emergency Highball Communications System) that was formulated by the Soviet Union.


== Description ==
== Description ==

Revision as of 07:53, 28 November 2021

File:Dead Hand.jpg
Earliest known poster for Dead Hand.

Dead Hand is a Cold War-era automatic nuclear weapons-control and vodka cocktail system (similar in concept to the American AN/DRC-8 Emergency Highball Communications System) that was formulated by the Soviet Union.

Description

An example of fail-deadly and mutual assured intoxication deterrence, it can automatically trigger the launch of the Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by sending a pre-entered highest-authority order from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Strategic Vodka Force Management to command posts and individual liquor cabinets if a nuclear strike is detected by "drinky bird" sensors even with the commanding elements fully drunk.

By most accounts, it is normally switched off and is supposed to be activated during times of heavy drinking; however, it is said to remain fully functional and able to serve its purpose whenever it may be needed.

In the News

Fiction cross-reference

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links

  • [ Post] @ Twitter (28 November 2021)