Behind-The-Scenes Story Of The Mysterious 'Nuclear Football' That Follows The US President Everywhere

The contents of the 40lb titanium case allows the president to authorise use of the country's nuclear arsenal, and can only be opened by the leader.  

ABC News Australia: The behind-the-scenes story of the mysterious 'nuclear football' that follows the US president everywhere 

The heavy black bag that follows the US president's every step, commonly nicknamed the "nuclear football" has been shrouded in secrecy for decades. 

But the most important — and mysterious — "football" in the world isn't really a football at all. 

Officially called the "Presidential Emergency Satchel", the nuclear football is a bulky briefcase that contains atomic war plans and enables the president to transmit nuclear orders to the Pentagon. 

The heavy case is carried by a military officer who is never far behind the president. 

But apart from sightings as the commander-in-chief boards a helicopter or exits meetings with world leaders, many details of the case remain classified.  

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Update: You always hear about the ‘nuclear football.’ Here’s the behind-the-scenes story (AP)  

WNU Editor: Here is an interesting read .... Female US Army officer brings Joe Biden's 'nuclear football' to Downing Street - the 40lb titanium case that would allow US president to launch atomic attack (Daily Mail).