Thread by @krakek1

A short refresher thread on the legacy Russian NC3.

First, there was a supporting system for the NCA, which allowed the President (and the MoD) to communicate with the military and to release the unlocker codes for the launches.

Unlocker codes are then pushed down to launchers.

Proprietary ownership by civilians was/is important because it ensured that only the relevant civilian authorities can order the launches, military authority would not have the unlocker codes.

My understanding is that Perimeter also receives them as a part of pre-delegation.

Then the orders would go through the service specific NC3 systems, Signal-A and Vyuga for the SMFs, the former was a hierarchical system to support the standard chain of command from the Central CP of SMFs onwards mainly.

Then from the division level and below (ie division CP or any of the regimental CPs) can launch the division's missiles.

This redundancy makes de-capitation harder.
Higher CPs can act as mere comm nodes on the pathway to the regimental (or divisional) CPs, that launch.

Then there is Vyuga system, which allows one way (instead of two wat communications of Signal-A) transmission of orders (and codes) to all the levels from say an IL-80 or IL-82 command aircraft.

Airforce and Navy had a separate proprietary system - KBSU, which relied more on radio and sat comms, for obvious reasons.

And then there was the perimeter, which backed up the primary (above ground and underground hardened) command posts, circuits for the NCA, back up airborne (IL-80/IL-82 aircraft) circuit by creating a system of superhardened command posts, with underground VLF emitters...

And ofcourse command missiles, though those today are not based in silos but are on mobile launchers.

Courtesy of Yarunuch's excellent book.