Policy Execution 1961–64

Abstract

Britain’s nuclear capabilities continued to mature after 1961, although plans for their further development were curtailed in several ways. During the summer of 1962, a much reduced target stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons was agreed. Nuclear Seaslug and Blue Water were can-celled, and the decision was made to end the production of fissile material for use in weapons. Significant reductions in the workforce at Aldermaston were implied by these decisions, but AWRE’s services were still in considerable demand, especially when, after the Skybolt cancellation, new warhead designs were once again required. After September 1961, Aldermaston was able to plan on the resumption of nuclear testing. A significant British advance in implosion technology, known by the codename Super Octopus, became the basis for a nuclear device tested underground in Nevada in March 1962. A new family of war-heads was planned for use in Skybolt and WE177. At the end of the year, plans were again revised to take account of the Skybolt cancellation, and it was found that the new warhead technology could be modified for use in Polaris.