[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I am no expert at this, having only been assigned to nuclear missile battalions for a little over two years, but I believe the chance of an explosion being caused by a puncture of the nose cone is EXACTLY 0% though my guess might be somewhat high!

[NormsRevenge]

RE: Yours and earlier comments by others about could it have actually detonated as a result of the damage sustained.

Probably not.. in this case. The handling and laxity in enforcing standardized procedures is what bit here.

The potential for leakage of "dirty bomb"-like material may be exaggerated as well. But, one never knows these days,, and after the fact, were it to occur, it would be too late for those who are affected should a real catastrophe occur.

Thanks for your service, btw. ;-)

[Poodlebrain]

The chances of one of the warheads detonating were near zero. Even the chances of one of the warheads being punctured and releasing radioactive material were near zero.

What I don't know is what were the chances the solid rocket fuel in the missile itself could have ignited. Any former missile guys with an answer?