A military tactic that allowed a nuclear strike to be ordered when an enemy strike seemed imminent; decision-making was shifted to high-level commanders rather than the president; used by the United States from 1979 to 1997.

• A. Mutually Assured Destruction
• B. First Strike
• C. Deterrence by punishment
• D. launch on warning (LOW)

Answer: (D)

Launch on warning is the idea of firing a nuclear response based on early warning signs of an incoming attack, rather than waiting to confirm the missiles actually arrive. This posture shortens the decision window in a crisis and, in the period described, shifted authority to senior military leaders who could act on those warnings, not just the president, to ensure a timely retaliation.

This fits the scenario because it describes a tactic tied to imminent attack signals and a delegation of prompt decision-making to high-level commanders, with the United States employing such a posture from 1979 to 1997. The other options describe deterrence or preemptive strategies that don’t specifically capture launching in response to imminent warning or the shift in decision authority.