Weapons Storage and Security System: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:18, 3 May 2020

Revision as of 08:09, 4 May 2020

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During the [[Cold War]] era on the US and NATO bases used by the [[Quick Reaction Alert]] readiness forces numbers of bombs were stored in a heavily secured [[weapon storage area]] located on or in the vicinity of the base. The 'specials' were located in nuclear weapon (igloo) bunkers. Transporting them to and from the Quick Reaction Alert area (a few heavily guarded aircraft shelters near the main runway) during exercises and for logistic reasons always required a convoy with a large number (approximately 50 armed military) of security forces which included a Security Alert Team, Backup Alert and Reserve Force team.

The WS3 system consists of a Weapons Storage Vault (WSV) and electronic monitoring and control systems. One vault can hold up to four [[nuclear weapon]]s and in the lowered position provides ballistic protection through its hardened lid and reinforced sidewalls.<ref name=Nuclear-Matters /> The WS3 system allowed storage directly underneath the aircraft intended to carry the bombs. The ___location inside the aircraft shelter increased the weapon survivability in case of any kind of attack and prevented monitoring of preparations to use the weapons. The electronic systems include various classified sensors, electronic data-transmission and security equipment such as video, motion detectors, closed circuit TV coupled with thermal imaging devices. These facilities enabled remote controlled weapon safety and made the large security forces obsolete.{{cn}}

Deployment of the WS3 system was authorized in 1988,<ref name=chronology /> and they were in widespread use by 1995.