PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Could the RAF resume the nuclear deterrent as a cheaper alternative to Trident?
Old 11th Aug 2015, 11:25
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Shackman
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Once a Squirrel Heaven (or hell!), Shropshire UK
Posts: 837
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About the only way we could find for the RAF to deliver a nuclear weapon to other places would be:

a. Put a load of nuclear boffins in a room and get them to design a teeny-weeny little bomb that would go in a suitcase, then build a load of these.

b. Give (issue?) them to all the holding aircrew and send them civ-air to wherever the bomb is required and tell them to light the blue touch paper and run (fairly quickly) into wind!

Unfortunately, as I'm sure many of you have seen, there are a few snags to this:

Firstly handbrake house would want the appropriate authority to issue air warrants (and would still try to use alternative travel methods).

Then they would go for the cheapest travel option (Squeezyjet or similar) and refuse to pay for hold baggage - so back to the design team to make it fit in a rucksack!

Take it through 'security' - they probably won't see the bomb (unless you write BOMB on it) but will confiscate the matches for lighting the fuse.

Assuming you get to board the aircraft all the overhead lockers will be full so you will spend the flight with it on your lap or kicking it under the seat in front.

And when you finally arrive you will find you're 70 odd miles from you destination (target), it's midnight and there is no transport.

As for any allowances - ...........

But still. I'm sure it will be cheaper than a few subs with missiles.
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