Originally Posted by
NutLoose
That had crossed my mind too, but I suppose you would have a hard time convincing the silo crew to launch in the knowledge It would toast them as it departs.
Yes it's always a bit odd that - The US solution was to have the crews well protected from the missile launch in a separate part of the facility - and in the case of the Minuteman II in a separate facility altogether.
Given the locations are in the open, I reckon they buy themselves about 60 mins of extra life - or perhaps a lot less if the other side launches first!