Official: Computers failed at nuke site

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

A computer failure caused a break in communication with 50 nuclear missiles at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming over the weekend, military officials said Tuesday.

The officials said the break occurred Saturday and lasted about 45 minutes. The White House was briefed about the failure Tuesday morning.

There was no evidence of foul play, and the Air Force never lost the ability to launch the missiles, the officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the incident publicly.

The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles are part of the 319th Missile Squadron stockpiled at Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne.

The computer failure appears to be linked to a problem with an underground communications cable.