![]() It also makes it possible for bombers to be alert and on standby, making these airborne assets nearly impossible to eliminate in a first strike. Bombers that contain an aerial refueling fleet support intercontinental strategic operations for both heavy bombers and smaller aircraft. Aircraft such as the Mirage 2000, F-15E, A-5 Vigilante, Sea Harrier, or FB-111 were tasked with land or sea-based strategic nuclear attack missions. If dispersed in small airfields or aboard an aircraft carrier, they can reasonably avoid a counterstrike giving them regional second-strike capacity. For example, a bomber armed with AGM-129 ACM missiles could be classified as a first-strike weapon and bombers that are classified as an aerial refueling aircraft would constitute as a second-strike weapon. Bombers can serve as both a first- and second-strike weapon. ![]() Furthermore, bombers that are scrambled might intensify tension and arouse suspicion of an upcoming nuclear strike. During an event, an enemy could suspect that a conventionally-armed bomber was actually carrying a nuclear weapon, encouraging the enemy to attack the bomber or make a nuclear strike. Bombers can hold both nuclear and conventional weapons. Some disadvantages include confusion on the type of payload. Since bombers are recallable, sending them away from a potential target is a highly visible way of demonstrating to enemies and allies that a nation wants to resolve a fight, thus preventing war. They have greater flexibility in their deployment and weaponry, and can be quickly deployed and recalled in response to last-minute decisions. Strategic bombers are the first leg of the triad.It also gives the commander-in-chief the flexibility to use different types of weapons for the appropriate strike while also maintaining a reserve of nuclear weapons safe from a counter-force strike. Having three legs also protects against new technology, like an enemy missile-defense system. The United States built its triad to maximize the probability that it could retaliate for a first strike. The triad enables a nation to deliver a nuclear attack by land, sea or air. They are classified under an umbrella of vessels and submarines that are capable of launching a ballistic missile. Ballistic missile submarines ( SSBNs): Nuclear missiles launched from ships or submarines.Land-based missiles ( MRBMs or ICBMs): Delivery vehicles powered by a liquid or solid-fueled rocket that primarily travel in a ballistic (free-fall) trajectory.Bomber aircraft: Aircraft carrying nuclear bombs, or nuclear-armed cruise missiles, for use against ground or sea targets.Only the United States and Russia have maintained strong nuclear triads for most of the nuclear age. While traditional nuclear strategy holds that a nuclear triad provides the best level of deterrence from attack, most nuclear powers do not have the military budget to sustain a full triad.
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