SubAnons,
Does this make sense?
Agreed. There was earlier talk of an arrest in the DC command chain right after launch.
Guessing that acoustic comm is more of a backup, not the preferred method (probably the lowest data rate). If the Clowns jammed VLF and Laser, the concern level in the sub would rise. If the sub then got a (probably one-way) acoustic link with a "valid" launch order, they would have to follow procedure. Probably the Captain does not know the targets for nukes, but again a guess. He would launch if the codes matched.