Return of the "Dead Hand"
The United States intends to terminate the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, which in the future may lead to very different consequences in the military-political sphere. Former parties to the agreement will be able to start creating new weapons and reorganizing the relevant military structures. In addition, some existing systems and facilities will be of particular importance. Thus, the American edition of The National Interest believes that the refusal of the INF Treaty will change the role of the Russian automated control system Perimeter.
A frightening article about responses to American moves was published on December 12 under The Buzz. Michael Peck presented a material called “Russia's" Dead Hand "Nuclear Doomsday Weapon is Back" - Russian Dead Hand, weapon doomsday returns. " The subtitle reveals one of the potential risks. If the United States again starts deploying medium-range missiles in Europe, Russia may consider adopting a preemptive nuclear-missile doctrine.
M. Peck reminds that Russia is able to create various types of weapons that look very scary - at least on paper. Only this year were presented a new cruise missile with a nuclear power plant and a robotic submarine carrying a nuclear warhead of 100 megatons.
In the days of the Cold War, there were also terrifying “doomsday” systems. Perhaps the most terrible of them was the control complex, capable of automatically ensuring the launch of intercontinental missiles at the start of a nuclear strike from the enemy. This complex did not need the participation of the person and solved the tasks on their own.
As the author notes, the old control system, known as “Perimeter” and Dead Hand (“Dead Hand”), may return to work in the future. At the same time, it will become even more deadly than it was in the past.
Prerequisite for such events, M. Peck, cites the statements of the United States Administration about the planned withdrawal from the treaty on medium and shorter-range missiles, signed in the 1987 year. At one time, this treaty led to the elimination of the once large stocks of missiles of several classes. Donald Trump claims that Russia is violating the INF Treaty, developing new cruise missiles that directly contradict its conditions.
The intentions of the United States infuriated Moscow. In addition, there was a fear that America, like during the Cold War, would be able to deploy nuclear missiles in European countries. For reasons of geographical nature, Russia needs an intercontinental ballistic missile to successfully attack the United States. Only such a weapon is able to reach the continental US at launch from Russian territory. At the same time, American missiles of other classes with a shorter range, starting from Germany or Poland, are capable of hitting the central regions of Russia.
Further, M. Peck quotes the words of the former chief of the main headquarters of the strategic missile forces, Colonel-General Viktor Esin. On November 8, the Russian weekly Zvezda published an interview with V. Esin, in which, together with other topics, various aspects of strategic deterrence were discussed, as well as the consequences of breaking the INF Treaty. First of all, the American author was interested in the statements about the Perimeter system, as well as on the possible change of the Russian doctrine of the use of nuclear weapons.
First of all, M. Peck pointed out the words of V. Esin about the deployment of missiles in Europe and the response of Moscow. If the United States starts deploying its medium-range missiles in European countries, Russia will consider adopting a renewed doctrine for a preemptive nuclear missile strike. Also in the interview some other questions were raised.
The topic of automatic control systems in an interview raised journalist of the weekly "Zvezda". He noted that when deploying medium-range missiles near the borders, the flight time could be reduced to almost two or three minutes. In this regard, the question arises: will the Russian Strategic Missile Forces have time to respond to the first strike of the enemy? There is also hope for the Perimeter control system, although there are concerns that it was eliminated in the past for one reason or another.
V. Yesin answered that the “Perimeter” / Dead Hand complex still works. Moreover, this system was modernized. At the same time, he noted that by the time the Perimeter began work, not all the means for a retaliatory strike would remain in the ranks. In this case, it will be possible to launch only those nuclear missiles that remain intact and operational after the first strike of the enemy.
M. Peck points to the absence of details. It is not clear that V. Esin had in mind when he spoke about improving the Perimeter system. The situation is similar with his statements that she continues to work. There is no exact information on this. However, the basic methods of operating the control complex are known. According to the available information, the key element of the “Dead Hand” is the modified UR-100 / SS-17 missiles. Their task is to transfer the launching commands to all operational ICBMs remaining in the mines.
Further, the author describes the work of "Perimeter", taken from the famous book by David E. Hoffman "The Dead Hand: Dangerous Legacy" (published in Russian under the title "Dead Hand. Unknown story Cold War and its dangerous legacy "). According to D. Hoffman, this system works in semi-automatic mode and needs some human involvement.
The top leadership of the country, fearing an imminent nuclear-missile strike, must "click the switch" and bring the control system into working condition. It is the government that gives permission for further action. Officers on duty must take their places in control points located in the buried and fortified spherical bunkers - “balls”. If permission to use nuclear weapons is obtained, seismic sensors record atomic explosions on the surface, and communications equipment no longer operate, officers on duty must launch special command missiles. The latter must transfer the command to launch all intercontinental ballistic missiles with combat equipment. Combat ICBMs should carry out a reciprocal nuclear missile strike against the enemy.
Michael Peck recalls that for many years the existence of the Perimeter system was confirmed only by isolated evidence. This fact shows a curious feature of the entire project. For some reason, the Soviet Union hid its automatic control complex of nuclear forces from a likely adversary represented by the United States, which it was intended to contain.
However, according to M. Peck, there are obvious moments in the context of the Perimeter system. He believes that this complex is a decision based on fear. This is the fear of the first blow from the United States, which will be able to destroy the country's leadership, as a result of which there will be no one to give the order for a retaliatory strike. It is also the fear that the Russian leader may lose his composure and not give the required order.
From this the author of The National Interest makes a pessimistic conclusion. If in the current situation Russia began to publicly discuss the Perimeter complex, the rest should start worrying.
***
According to different sources, the automatic control system of a massive nuclear strike "Perimeter" was created in the seventies of the last century. It was developed as an addition to the existing means of control of strategic nuclear forces and was designed to work in conditions of their destruction or damage. The operation of the complex continues for about 40 years, but most of the information about it is still not subject to disclosure, which contributes to the emergence of various estimates, assumptions and outright speculations.
According to various sources, the Perimeter includes a number of its own command posts, which are responsible for processing incoming data and issuing basic orders. The second key element of the system - launchers with so-called. command missiles. The 15А11 rocket is a modified version of the MR UR-100U product, in which, instead of military equipment, the radio-technical complex of data transmission and commands is used. After launch, the rocket automatically notifies all the remaining SNF facilities about the need to perform a combat mission. To receive commands from 15А11 missiles, all objects of nuclear forces have corresponding receivers.
Some sources mention the existence of command missiles made on the basis of other military weapons. So, the basis for one of these products was the mobile soil complex "Pioneer". Also, the command rocket could be built on the basis of the ICBM RT-2PM Topol. According to some reports, 15А11 missiles have been decommissioned in the past and replaced by newer Topol-based products. At the same time, the number and locations of command missiles have never been published anywhere.
The full composition of the Perimeter components and the principles of its operation remain unknown, although some information about this has already appeared. According to one of the popular versions, the complex includes means of electronic reconnaissance and data acquisition, seismic and electromagnetic sensors, as well as other equipment. It is understood that in the case of a nuclear missile strike, the Perimeter will be able to independently determine the fact of an attack according to characteristic signs and automatically give a command to launch missiles in response.
According to others, the autonomy of the Perimeter system is limited, and therefore there are no instruments and algorithms for independent decision making in its composition. She herself is in fact an additional communication system, characterized by increased survivability and stability even in conditions of nuclear war. There are also other versions involving the joint work of man and automation. Which of these are true is unknown for reasons of secrecy and security.
In recent years, officials have repeatedly talked about the continued operation of the "Perimeter". The system is preserved and remains on alert in order to ensure national security. It retains its status as one of the main elements of deterring the likely adversary from rash decisions in the field of nuclear weapons.
The United States, under the administration of D. Trump’s administration, plans to withdraw from the existing treaty on the elimination of medium-range and shorter-range missiles, which, according to various estimates, should lead to the emergence of new types of weapons and a significant change in the strategic situation. Russia will be forced to respond to new challenges, and some of its plans for the future may be related to the Perimeter management complex.
However, exactly how the existing control system will be used after the situation changes, whether its improvements will be needed, and whether it will affect the actual doctrine of the use of nuclear weapons is unknown. Such uncertainty in combination with the special purpose of the "Perimeter" is a cause for concern. In addition, according to The National Interest, foreign military and politicians should be concerned about the fact that Russia began to publicly discuss its "Perimeter".
The article "Russia's" Dead Hand "Nuclear Doomsday Weapon is Back":
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-dead-hand-nuclear-doomsday-weapon-back-38492
A frightening article about responses to American moves was published on December 12 under The Buzz. Michael Peck presented a material called “Russia's" Dead Hand "Nuclear Doomsday Weapon is Back" - Russian Dead Hand, weapon doomsday returns. " The subtitle reveals one of the potential risks. If the United States again starts deploying medium-range missiles in Europe, Russia may consider adopting a preemptive nuclear-missile doctrine.
M. Peck reminds that Russia is able to create various types of weapons that look very scary - at least on paper. Only this year were presented a new cruise missile with a nuclear power plant and a robotic submarine carrying a nuclear warhead of 100 megatons.
In the days of the Cold War, there were also terrifying “doomsday” systems. Perhaps the most terrible of them was the control complex, capable of automatically ensuring the launch of intercontinental missiles at the start of a nuclear strike from the enemy. This complex did not need the participation of the person and solved the tasks on their own.
As the author notes, the old control system, known as “Perimeter” and Dead Hand (“Dead Hand”), may return to work in the future. At the same time, it will become even more deadly than it was in the past.
Prerequisite for such events, M. Peck, cites the statements of the United States Administration about the planned withdrawal from the treaty on medium and shorter-range missiles, signed in the 1987 year. At one time, this treaty led to the elimination of the once large stocks of missiles of several classes. Donald Trump claims that Russia is violating the INF Treaty, developing new cruise missiles that directly contradict its conditions.
The intentions of the United States infuriated Moscow. In addition, there was a fear that America, like during the Cold War, would be able to deploy nuclear missiles in European countries. For reasons of geographical nature, Russia needs an intercontinental ballistic missile to successfully attack the United States. Only such a weapon is able to reach the continental US at launch from Russian territory. At the same time, American missiles of other classes with a shorter range, starting from Germany or Poland, are capable of hitting the central regions of Russia.
Further, M. Peck quotes the words of the former chief of the main headquarters of the strategic missile forces, Colonel-General Viktor Esin. On November 8, the Russian weekly Zvezda published an interview with V. Esin, in which, together with other topics, various aspects of strategic deterrence were discussed, as well as the consequences of breaking the INF Treaty. First of all, the American author was interested in the statements about the Perimeter system, as well as on the possible change of the Russian doctrine of the use of nuclear weapons.
First of all, M. Peck pointed out the words of V. Esin about the deployment of missiles in Europe and the response of Moscow. If the United States starts deploying its medium-range missiles in European countries, Russia will consider adopting a renewed doctrine for a preemptive nuclear missile strike. Also in the interview some other questions were raised.
The topic of automatic control systems in an interview raised journalist of the weekly "Zvezda". He noted that when deploying medium-range missiles near the borders, the flight time could be reduced to almost two or three minutes. In this regard, the question arises: will the Russian Strategic Missile Forces have time to respond to the first strike of the enemy? There is also hope for the Perimeter control system, although there are concerns that it was eliminated in the past for one reason or another.
V. Yesin answered that the “Perimeter” / Dead Hand complex still works. Moreover, this system was modernized. At the same time, he noted that by the time the Perimeter began work, not all the means for a retaliatory strike would remain in the ranks. In this case, it will be possible to launch only those nuclear missiles that remain intact and operational after the first strike of the enemy.
M. Peck points to the absence of details. It is not clear that V. Esin had in mind when he spoke about improving the Perimeter system. The situation is similar with his statements that she continues to work. There is no exact information on this. However, the basic methods of operating the control complex are known. According to the available information, the key element of the “Dead Hand” is the modified UR-100 / SS-17 missiles. Their task is to transfer the launching commands to all operational ICBMs remaining in the mines.
Further, the author describes the work of "Perimeter", taken from the famous book by David E. Hoffman "The Dead Hand: Dangerous Legacy" (published in Russian under the title "Dead Hand. Unknown story Cold War and its dangerous legacy "). According to D. Hoffman, this system works in semi-automatic mode and needs some human involvement.
The top leadership of the country, fearing an imminent nuclear-missile strike, must "click the switch" and bring the control system into working condition. It is the government that gives permission for further action. Officers on duty must take their places in control points located in the buried and fortified spherical bunkers - “balls”. If permission to use nuclear weapons is obtained, seismic sensors record atomic explosions on the surface, and communications equipment no longer operate, officers on duty must launch special command missiles. The latter must transfer the command to launch all intercontinental ballistic missiles with combat equipment. Combat ICBMs should carry out a reciprocal nuclear missile strike against the enemy.
Michael Peck recalls that for many years the existence of the Perimeter system was confirmed only by isolated evidence. This fact shows a curious feature of the entire project. For some reason, the Soviet Union hid its automatic control complex of nuclear forces from a likely adversary represented by the United States, which it was intended to contain.
However, according to M. Peck, there are obvious moments in the context of the Perimeter system. He believes that this complex is a decision based on fear. This is the fear of the first blow from the United States, which will be able to destroy the country's leadership, as a result of which there will be no one to give the order for a retaliatory strike. It is also the fear that the Russian leader may lose his composure and not give the required order.
From this the author of The National Interest makes a pessimistic conclusion. If in the current situation Russia began to publicly discuss the Perimeter complex, the rest should start worrying.
***
According to different sources, the automatic control system of a massive nuclear strike "Perimeter" was created in the seventies of the last century. It was developed as an addition to the existing means of control of strategic nuclear forces and was designed to work in conditions of their destruction or damage. The operation of the complex continues for about 40 years, but most of the information about it is still not subject to disclosure, which contributes to the emergence of various estimates, assumptions and outright speculations.
According to various sources, the Perimeter includes a number of its own command posts, which are responsible for processing incoming data and issuing basic orders. The second key element of the system - launchers with so-called. command missiles. The 15А11 rocket is a modified version of the MR UR-100U product, in which, instead of military equipment, the radio-technical complex of data transmission and commands is used. After launch, the rocket automatically notifies all the remaining SNF facilities about the need to perform a combat mission. To receive commands from 15А11 missiles, all objects of nuclear forces have corresponding receivers.
Some sources mention the existence of command missiles made on the basis of other military weapons. So, the basis for one of these products was the mobile soil complex "Pioneer". Also, the command rocket could be built on the basis of the ICBM RT-2PM Topol. According to some reports, 15А11 missiles have been decommissioned in the past and replaced by newer Topol-based products. At the same time, the number and locations of command missiles have never been published anywhere.
The full composition of the Perimeter components and the principles of its operation remain unknown, although some information about this has already appeared. According to one of the popular versions, the complex includes means of electronic reconnaissance and data acquisition, seismic and electromagnetic sensors, as well as other equipment. It is understood that in the case of a nuclear missile strike, the Perimeter will be able to independently determine the fact of an attack according to characteristic signs and automatically give a command to launch missiles in response.
According to others, the autonomy of the Perimeter system is limited, and therefore there are no instruments and algorithms for independent decision making in its composition. She herself is in fact an additional communication system, characterized by increased survivability and stability even in conditions of nuclear war. There are also other versions involving the joint work of man and automation. Which of these are true is unknown for reasons of secrecy and security.
In recent years, officials have repeatedly talked about the continued operation of the "Perimeter". The system is preserved and remains on alert in order to ensure national security. It retains its status as one of the main elements of deterring the likely adversary from rash decisions in the field of nuclear weapons.
The United States, under the administration of D. Trump’s administration, plans to withdraw from the existing treaty on the elimination of medium-range and shorter-range missiles, which, according to various estimates, should lead to the emergence of new types of weapons and a significant change in the strategic situation. Russia will be forced to respond to new challenges, and some of its plans for the future may be related to the Perimeter management complex.
However, exactly how the existing control system will be used after the situation changes, whether its improvements will be needed, and whether it will affect the actual doctrine of the use of nuclear weapons is unknown. Such uncertainty in combination with the special purpose of the "Perimeter" is a cause for concern. In addition, according to The National Interest, foreign military and politicians should be concerned about the fact that Russia began to publicly discuss its "Perimeter".
The article "Russia's" Dead Hand "Nuclear Doomsday Weapon is Back":
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-dead-hand-nuclear-doomsday-weapon-back-38492
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