survivable

survive +‎ -able

survivable (comparative more survivable, superlative most survivable)

1. Able to be survived.

   The conditions they are living in are harsh but survivable.

2. (military) Capable of surviving an attack, especially a nuclear strike.
   • 1972, Naval Engineers Journal, volume 84, page 274:

     In order for a weapon system to be an effective deterrent it must be highly survivable. Weapon systems based in the world's ocean waters are the most survivable systems.

   • 1995, United States. General Accounting Office, Cruise Missiles: Proven Capability Should Affect Aircraft and Force Structure Requirements : Report to Congressional Committees, page 48:

     As Desert Storm demonstrated, heavily defended targets can be successfully attacked by cruise missiles and a limited number of highly capable and survivable aircraft, leaving other targets to be attacked by less survivable aircraft. A recent CNA study reinforced this point.

   • 2024 April 24, Helene Cooper, quoting Robert S. McChrystal, “NATO Puts on a Show of Force in the Shadow of Russia’s War”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     “I think that what we found is that our command and control needs to be more survivable,” said Col. Robert S. McChrystal, commander of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which is based in Vilseck, Germany, near the Czech border.

• survivability