Maintaining the UK's nuclear deterrent
The scientific challenges of working on a weapon that can never be tested
The UK has maintained a continuous ‘at sea’ nuclear deterrent since 1969. Operating from a naval base on the west coast of Scotland, the UK has four submarines – Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant and Vengeance – that are rotated to ensure at least one is at sea at all times. Each submarine carries up to 40 nuclear warheads, comprising the UK’s entire useable nuclear arsenal. Since the programme’s initiation, these have all been designed, constructed, maintained and decommissioned at two R&D centres near Reading, collectively known as the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE). Today, AWE employs around 5000 people, including 1700 scientists and engineers. But what does their role involve?