This information leaflet describes the key
elements of a programme that will
underpin future assessments of the safety
and reliability of the UK's nuclear
warheads. It is part of a series of leaflets
that outline some of the novel scientific
research MOD is involved in.
INTRODUCTION
A
s a responsible nuclear weapon state, the UK
regards safety and reliability as central to the
maintenance of their nuclear warheads. We define
these concepts as follows:
•A safe warhead is benign in all situations
other than deliberate detonation.
•A reliable warhead will act in prescribed
manner when detonated.
Between 1952 and 1992 the UK carried out 45
explosions involving a nuclear yield to verify
theoretical principles and to study the properties of
warhead materials. The primary purpose of the tests
was to demonstrate and verify scientific
understanding rather than test the operation of the
warheads themselves.
During each explosive test, a large amount of data
was collected using a suite of sophisticated
instruments. The information gathered during the
nuclear tests was crucial in providing the UK with the
necessary confidence in the safety and reliability of
its nuclear warheads.
However, the UK is now committed to the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and no longer
conducts nuclear-weapon-test explosions or any other
nuclear explosions. To address nuclear warhead
assurance in the 21st Century, therefore, the UK has
developed a programme of leading-edge research
that does not require such explosions .The research
will provide necessary confidence in safety and
reliability by further developing our understanding of
the fundamental processes involved.
This factsheet outlines the UK's approach to nuclear
warhead assurance and describes the key areas of the
research programme.
The Nuclear Warhead Assurance Panel:
In addition to MOD staff led by the Chief Scientific Advisor (Prof Sir Keith O'Nions), this leaflet was
written in consultation with eminent scientists from UK industry and academia.
Prof Sir Den Davies CBE, FREng, FRS: Former president of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Until recently, chairman of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council - a public body responsible
for the independent scrutiny and review of the UK Nuclear Research programme.
Dr Clive Marsh CBE: Chief Scientist of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston.
Prof Philip Burke CBE, FRS: Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Physics at Queens University
Belfast. His research interests include atomic, molecular and optical physics and their application in
astronomy and laser physics. He is also interested in the scientific application of supercomputers.
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NUCLEAR WARHEAD ASSURANCE
