In today’s world of global conflict and tension between nuclear powers, one briefcase holds the key to America’s most devastating atomic weapons. Known as the “nuclear football,” this unassuming black bag represents the ultimate power—and responsibility—of the President of the United States.
The nuclear football, officially the Presidential Emergency Satchel, is a briefcase , the contents of which are to be used by the president of the United States to communicate and authorize a nuclear attack while away from fixed command centres , such as the White House Situation Room or the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. Functioning as a mobile hub in the strategic defense system of the United States, the football is carried by a military aide when the president is traveling.There are four things in the football. The Black Book containing the retaliatory options, a book listing classified site locations, a manila folder with eight or 10 pages stapled together giving a description of procedures for the Emergency Broadcast System, and a three-by-five inch card with authentication codes.”
A similar device, known as the Cheget, is used by the Russian leadership.
Source: Nuclear Football Wikipedia
Retired “nuclear football” at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.Photograph: Public Domain.
