Nuclear triad

Nuclear Triad

The Nuclear Triad refers to the three components of atomic weapons delivery systems: strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The purpose of having this triad is to significantly reduce the possibility that an enemy could destroy all of a nation's nuclear forces in a first-strike attack; this, in turn, ensures a credible threat of a second strike, and thus increases a nation's nuclear deterrence.

Strategic Bombers

Strategic bombers are large aircraft capable of delivering nuclear weapons. They are a key component of the nuclear triad due to their ability to deliver large payloads over long distances. Strategic bombers include aircraft such as the B-52 Stratofortress, B-2 Spirit, and the Tu-95.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are guided ballistic missiles with a minimum range of 5,500 kilometers. They are primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery. ICBMs have the advantage of being able to deliver a nuclear strike anywhere in the world within a short period of time.

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles

Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) are ballistic missiles which are launched from submarines. They provide a highly survivable and virtually undetectable nuclear deterrent, as they can be hidden in the vastness of the world's oceans.

Nuclear Deterrence

The concept of nuclear deterrence is central to understanding the purpose of the nuclear triad. The idea is to deter an enemy from attacking by promising a retaliatory second strike. The nuclear triad ensures that even if a first strike destroys one or two components of the triad, the remaining component(s) would be capable of a retaliatory strike.

See Also

• Mutually assured destruction
• Nuclear strategy
• Nuclear warfare