NATO's cold war secret: Nuclear mines powered by chickens
During the Cold War, NATO searched for effective methods to prevent a potential Soviet invasion. One of the most extraordinary projects was Blue Peacock—a British atomic mine whose operation was to be aided by chickens. This unusual solution aimed to keep the weapon functional even in extreme winter conditions.
The project, codenamed Blue Peacock, involved the deployment of nuclear mines in West Germany. Their main task was to slow down the Soviet offensive and disrupt rear operations by destroying key infrastructure. The mines could be detonated remotely or automatically eight days after being armed.
Atomic chickens as a solution to mine problems
The British planned to use modified Blue Danube bombs, each weighing over 15,000 pounds with a yield of up to 40 kilotons. To prevent their neutralization, these bombs were equipped with security features responsive to movement, decompression, and water flooding.
The biggest problem was cooling the mines buried in the ground during winter, which could affect the efficiency of the electronics. Engineers from the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment proposed an unconventional solution: using chickens as natural heaters. The birds, with their body temperature of about 106-109 degrees Fahrenheit, were placed inside the mines to maintain the appropriate temperature for several days.
In 1954, ten test specimens of the mines were ordered; however, the Blue Peacock program was eventually canceled. Concerns about radioactive dust, which could threaten the UK itself after detonation, led to this decision. By 1958, work on the project had officially ended.
The Blue Peacock project remains one of the more original ideas of the Cold War, and the concept of atomic chickens continues to amaze. However, it is not the only controversial idea for using animals for military or political purposes during the Cold War era. This category also includes "Acoustic Kitty," a CIA program that aimed to turn cats into cyborg spies.
