Question

What is nuclear hardness?

(a) Ability to survive a nuclear explosion

(b) Ability to survive in the vicinity of nuclear explosion

(c) Ability to defend nuclear weapons

(d) Ability to drop nuclear weapons with precision

The question was posed to me during an internship interview.

My doubt stems from Fly-by-Light Flight Control topic in chapter Fly by Wire Flight Control of Avionics

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) Ability to survive in the vicinity of nuclear explosion

Easy explanation: Vicinity to a nuclear explosion and consequent emission of gamma radiation and an EMP of very high electric field strength. Military avionic equipment is specially designed to survive up to a certain (classified) level of these effects. This attribute is referred to as ‘nuclear hardness’ and is achieved by the design of the circuits, use of nuclear hard components, circumvention techniques and very efficient electromagnetic screening.