A Van is correct.
The reality is that things happen, and "all concerned" were/are, no doubt, monitoring such launches and did not cry outloud.
The importance of deterrence is not whether is
will work but whether the other side
thinks it will work.
I know of one occasion when an aircraft On State for 10 days could not have dropped its weapon. Nothing would have been gained by broadcasting it in the Daily Express*.
*The Daily Express in those days was the 'must read' paper at breakfast when you could read the secret at the same time as the MOD Box
