English Dictionary

Broken Arrow

noun

(US, euphemistic, military) An accidental event that involves nuclear weapons or nuclear components but does not create the risk of nuclear war.

The Broken Arrow was a nuclear weapon accident that occurred on January 17, 1966, in which a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber collided with a KC-135 tanker during mid-air refueling over Palomares, Spain.

意味（1）

(US, euphemistic, military) An accidental event that involves nuclear weapons or nuclear components but does not create the risk of nuclear war.

In the US, the code name for a serious nuclear weapons incident is Broken Arrow. It is US policy neither to confirm nor deny the existence of nuclear weapons at any specific location; this also applies to Broken Arrow incidents.

意味（2）

(US, military) A code phrase indicating that a ground unit is facing imminent destruction from enemy attack and all available air forces within range are to provide air support immediately.

The FAC urgently sends over his radio a cry for help: "Broken Arrow! Broken Arrow!' His message unleashes all available close air support in South Vietnam on a priority basis.