International Review
In 1983, the Soviet Union created the automated strategic command and control system—Kazbek. It's widely known as the nuclear launch suitcase. It's also called the subscriber complex Cheget. The suitcase has equipment for communicating with the General Staff and the heads of RVSN (strategic missile troops). Roughly said, it's a phone, but the information is transmitted not via voice but with encrypted symbols. Three Chegets are on continuous combat duty. The President, the Defense Minister, and the Head of the General Staff all have one.
Of course, the suitcases have the big button, which gives the order to use nuclear weapons. The Cheget is carried by a liaison officer with a rank not lower than lieutenant colonel. According to tradition, he's dressed in a navy uniform.
The USA created their nuclear launch briefcase 20 years earlier than the USSR, right after the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's called the "nuclear football," or just "the football." It's a big black leather briefcase, which looks like a bag for American football. Inside, there's a heavy-duty titanium box with a plastic card, an authentication code card. Opening it, one can find out the president's code, which is needed to activate America's nuclear arsenal.
The "football" goes from one president to another on Inauguration Day. After this, the new owner of the White House listens to a special 30-minute briefing on how to use the suitcase's contents. Five White House Military Office employees take turns carrying the suitcase.
