INDUSTRYNEWS
SPONSORED BY DAVENPORT BURGESS
Locks on nuclear missiles were
changed after launch key blunder
All the locks on US nuclear missiles based in Britain had to be
changed after an RAF technician discovered that his launch key
also fitted in the slot reserved for an American operator.
The problem with the “dual key” control on Thor missiles occurred
in the early 1960s but was kept from ministers and RAF commanders
until 1983, files released recently by the National Archives disclose.
‘Potentially disastrous’
Under the system, British and American personnel would each
have to insert their own key in order to fire one of the weapons as a
safeguard against Washington launching its nuclear missiles from
the UK without London’s permission.
Dr David Owen, then deputy leader of the SDP, uncovered details
of the “potentially disastrous” incident and asked Margaret Thatcher
for a full investigation in February 1983.
Mrs Thatcher wrote back a month later, confirming that it had
happened but stressing that it was never possible for one person to
launch a Thor missile on their own.
She said: “An RAF technician discovered during routine servicing
of an inert missile that a British key turned the US Air Force lock. A
comprehensive check of the other missiles revealed that this was
also the case for one other USAF lock. All the locks were changed as
a result.”
‘A British key turned the US Air Force lock’
EUROZONE OUT OF RECESSION But
still a long way to go
The eurozone has emerged from recession
after a record 18 months of economic
contraction.
The bloc’s GDP grew by 0.3% in the second
quarter of 2013, slightly ahead of forecasts,
the Eurostat agency said.
The growth was widely expect