[haloux]

short answer; it depends, but in general we are looking for holes in EM shielding to turn the RVs into paperweights.

As a former nuke maintainer, the way I think they would do it would be to launch a titan with a full MIRV payload of W53s or their predecessors out into an area for HAD (high altitude detonation). The understanding is that we were relying on the emp from nuclear blasts to make things drop from the sky. This is also a time when insensitive high exposives were not a thing and simple shock would begin a detonation for most weapons. The emp overloading electronics in either the launch vehicle (depending on altitude) or the reentry vehicle could cause the weapon to detonate (noncriticality, just a simple detonation). Aditionally consider that passing through the EM contaminated zone would likely render the same effects to the launch vehicle. The RV might not even separate and instead just continue into orbit. Lastly, the RV angle and positioning done by the RS (reentry system) is highly dependent on both explosives and electronics. Lots of room for EM to muck with that and cause a poor reentry angle or even an outright spin fault which would lead to detonation on reentry. Regardless, most RVs will not critically detonate unless all flight conditions are met. This means launch, RS positioning, proper spin, etc.

Side note : In the service I’ve heard rumors of the Russians having the same doctrine when under attack and defending key government areas, but at lower altitudes and being initiated with Tuplovs and gravity weapons (non rv, aircraft dropped). This inherently implies fratricidal consequences for pilots and civilians.