# Fail-deadly

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{{Short description|Concept in nuclear military strategy}}

'''Fail-deadly''' is a concept in [nuclear military strategy](/source/Nuclear_strategy) that encourages [deterrence](/source/Deterrence_theory) by guaranteeing an immediate, automatic, and overwhelming response to an attack, even if there is no one left to trigger such retaliation.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} The term ''fail-deadly'' was coined as a contrast to ''[fail-safe](/source/fail-safe)''.

Fail-deadly can refer to specific technology components, or the controls system as a whole. The [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom)'s fail-deadly policies delegate strike authority to submarine commanders in the event of a loss of command (using [letters of last resort](/source/letters_of_last_resort)), ensuring that even when uncoordinated, nuclear retaliation can be carried out.<ref>{{cite book |last=Scott |first=Len |date=2000 |title=Planning Armageddon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lWNwZZ1tV_8C&pg=PA301 |location=Amsterdam |publisher=Overseas Publishers Association |isbn=9058230066 |page=301 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [AN/DRC-8 Emergency Rocket Communications System](/source/AN%2FDRC-8_Emergency_Rocket_Communications_System)
* {{Annotated link|Dead man's switch}}
* {{Annotated link|Doomsday device}}
* ''[Dr. Strangelove](/source/Dr._Strangelove)''
* {{Annotated link|Failing badly}}
* {{Annotated link|Launch on warning}}
* [Mutual assured destruction](/source/Mutual_assured_destruction) (MAD)
* {{Annotated link|Samson Option}}
* {{Annotated link|Special Weapons Emergency Separation System}}
* [Two Generals' Problem](/source/Two_Generals'_Problem)
* [Dead Hand](/source/Dead_Hand)

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Wiktionary}}

Category:Nuclear command and control
Category:Nuclear strategy

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