A B61 training unit intended for ground crew. It accurately replicates the physical shape and size of a "live" B61 (together with its safety/arming mechanisms) but does not contain fissile/toxic materials or explosives. DEFCON 1 = It's now so bad you can use it, DEFCON 2 = someone wants to use it on you!
The defense readiness condition (DEFCON) is an alert state used by the United States Armed Forces. The DEFCON system was developed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and unified and specified combatant commands. After North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was created, the command used different readiness levels (Normal, Increased, Maximum) subdivided into eight conditions, e.g., the "Maximum Readiness" level had two conditions "Air Defense Readiness" and "Air Defense Emergency". DEFCON was then created in 1959 for use by all military commands and the national government as a joint scale of emergency measurement and alertness.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a DEFCON 2 situation. DEFCON 1 was simulated once in the Exercise Able Archer '83 event and the Soviets panicked, fearing they were about to be nuked with out warning or provocation!
The 'DEFCON' scale
Readiness condition
Exercise term
Description
Readiness
Color
DEFCON 1
COCKED PISTOL
Nuclear war is imminent
Maximum readiness
White
DEFCON 2
FAST PACE
Next step to nuclear war
Armed Forces ready to deploy and engage in less than 6 hours
Red
DEFCON 3
ROUND HOUSE
Increase in force readiness above that required for normal readiness
Air Force ready to mobilize in 15 minutes
Yellow
DEFCON 4
DOUBLE TAKE
Increased intelligence watch and strengthened security measures
Above normal readiness
Green
DEFCON 5
FADE OUT
Lowest state of readiness
Normal readiness
Blue
The post 1978 French Vigipirate system
Alert level
Color
Significance
Measures taken
0
White
No danger
No danger
1
Yellow
Vague threat / raise vigilance
Raise security levels to face real yet still uncertain dangers, through measures that are local and minimally disruptive of normal activity, while preparing to switch to "orange" or "red" within a few days.
2
Orange
Possible threat / prevent terrorist action
Take measures against plausible risks of terrorist action, including the use of means that are moderately disruptive to normal public activities, while preparing to switch to "red" or "scarlet" on short notice where possible.
3
Red
High chance of threat / prevent serious attack
Take measures against a proven risk of one or more terrorist actions, including measures to protect public institutions and putting in place appropriate means for rescue and response, authorizing a significant level of disruption to social and economic activity.
4
Scarlet
Definite threat / prevent major attack
Notification of a risk of major attacks, simultaneous or otherwise, using non-conventional means and causing major devastation; preparing appropriate means of rescue and response, measures that are highly disruptive to public life are authorized.
The post 9/11 UK equivalent to DEFCON (UK 'Threat levels')
Threat level
Response
Critical
An attack is expected imminently.
EXCEPTIONAL
Maximum protective security measures to meet specific threats and to minimise vulnerability and risk. Critical may also be used if a nuclear attack is expected.
Severe
An attack is highly likely.
HEIGHTENED
Additional and sustainable protective security measures reflecting the broad nature of the threat combined with specific business and geographical vulnerabilities and judgments on acceptable risk.
Substantial
An attack is a strong possibility.
Moderate
An attack is possible, but not likely.
NORMAL
Routine protective security measures appropriate to the business concerned.
