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being called out to deal with alarms on average four times a week over this period. The Health and Safety
Executive took the decision to prosecute AWE plc on three charges relating to health and safety after their investigation into the fire in 2010, the first hearing in this case being held on 6 August 2012. On 16 May 2013 AWE pleaded guilty to a single offence contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
547:(ONR) has given both AWE sites enhanced regulatory attention due to "safety and compliance concerns, and the continued undertaking of operations in ageing facilities due to delays to the delivery of modern standard replacement facilities." The ONR anticipated AWE would move back to normal regulatory attention in 2021 after the new facilities are completed.
708:
Blacknest's main function is to develop and maintain expertise in using seismic techniques to detect and identify underground explosions. This expertise and the techniques have been used in the past to provide assessments for the UK government on nuclear explosions carried out by other countries. The
562:
decades before, recognised a small spike at an energy of 803 kilo-electron volts (keV) as the gamma ray signal from polonium-210, a critical component of early nuclear bombs, which led to the correct diagnosis. Further tests using spectroscopy designed to detect alpha radiation confirmed the result.
672:
On 3 August 2010 a fire broke out in the explosives processing area at AWE Aldermaston, resulting in the evacuation of nearby residents from their homes. Investigations by a local newspaper revealed that from 1 April 2000, to 5 August 2011, 158 fires broke out at AWE sites, with the fire brigade
524:
Critics pointed out that BNFL and
Lockheed Martin did not have perfect safety records either. BNFL suffered embarrassing revelations of falsified quality checks in nuclear fuels and Lockheed was the subject of scathing reports on the operation of US nuclear facilities. Lockheed's failings
578:
report found that costs had increased by £1.07 billion to £1.8 billion and completion date had slipped to 2023. Construction was begun before design had been finalised and risk was not shared with contractors, so they were not incentivised to control costs.
454:
It remained with the
Ministry of Defence, Procurement Executive. However, in 1989, the UK government announced its intention to find a suitable private company to run AWE under a Government Owned/Contractor Operated (GO‑CO) arrangement.
629:
warhead is reliable and safe throughout its intended in-service life. The new facilities and extra supporting infrastructure are required in the absence of live nuclear testing no longer allowed under the
570:
issued an improvement notice to AWE demanding that it demonstrate that it has a long-term strategy for managing Higher Active radioactive Waste in order to reduce the risk to the public and its employees.
1366:
451:
In 1987, AWRE was combined with ROF Burghfield and ROF Cardiff to form the Atomic
Weapons Establishment (AWE), these sites being renamed AWE Burghfield and AWE Cardiff (the latter was closed in 1997).
1381:
1356:
705:, researching techniques to distinguish the seismic signals generated by underground nuclear explosions from those generated by earthquakes. It is approximately 1 mile west of the main AWE site.
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In 2011 a project named MENSA to construct a new warhead assembly and disassembly facility at
Burghfield had been approved, to be completed in 2017 at a cost £734 million. In 2020, a
1137:
1401:
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A significant programme of investment took place over the three-year period from 2005 to 2008, of about £350 million per year, to provide assurance that the existing
428:
320:
in AWE plc. In
November 2020, it was announced that the Ministry of Defence had triggered a contractual break point and would take ownership of AWE Plc in July 2021.
435:(ROFs): ROF Burghfield and ROF Cardiff. In 1984 these two ROFs were separated from the other ROFs, which were then formed into a government-owned defence company,
1406:
685:
alerted the authorities to lapses in security caused by misconduct among police officers guarding the base. The MoD said that security was never threatened, but
931:
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In
November 2020, it was announced that the Ministry of Defence had triggered a contractual break point and would take ownership of AWE Plc in July 2021.
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through AWE Management Ltd, which held a 25‑year contract (until March 2025) to operate AWE, although all the sites remained owned by the
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in 1987. ROF Burghfield and ROF Cardiff remained within the
Procurement Executive and came under the control of AWRE.
513:, assumed responsibility for the operation of all AWE sites on 1 April 2000. This was not full privatisation as the
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freefall nuclear bomb. In 1998 the company suffered two prosecutions for safety breaches, one for discharge of
432:
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was announced as chair-designate, and he formally took on the role of chair of the board on 1 July 2021.
251:
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Regional News
Network – Press Releases – Operator to be prosecuted over AWE site fire -operational note
689:
considered it a "critical" incident. Six officers were dismissed for gross misconduct and 25 resigned.
621:
To develop the skills, technologies and techniques that could underpin future arms limitation treaties.
604:
AWE is tasked to help the United
Kingdom maintain a credible and effective minimum nuclear deterrent:
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as a troop carrier (C‑47) group base, and was assigned USAAF station No 467. In 1952, the
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Latest News > 16 MAY 2013 – AWE STATEMENT FOLLOWING READING CROWN COURT APPEARANCE
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to obtain scientific data to maintain the safety and reliability of nuclear weapons.
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in the United States and other American nuclear weapons laboratories in carrying out
440:
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To complete the dismantling and disposal of redundant warheads replaced by Trident.
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The cost of decommissioning AWE facilities when they become redundant, including
752:
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The British nuclear weapons programme, then operating under the project name '
275:
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To maintain a capability to design a new weapon, should it ever be required.
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Scientists at AWE were involved in testing for radioactive poison after the
487:
115:
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into a nearby stream and another for an incident where two workers inhaled
463:
In 1993 the government awarded a contract to Hunting-BRAE, a consortium of
412:, the production activities of UKAEA were transferred to the newly created
392:
project was renamed the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE), with
713:
which was signed in 1996, but which, as of 2015, has not come into force.
483:
431:. Parts of AWRE's weapons production processes were carried out at two
1064:"Sir John Manzoni announced as Chair Designate for AWE plc NDPB Board"
657:
on nuclear weapons. The most recent test took place in February 2006.
1156:. Rnn.cabinetoffice.gov.uk (15 June 2012). Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
332:
226:
533:, an American weapons plant similar in certain ways to Aldermaston.
289:, responsible for the day-to-day operations of AWE, is owned by the
1135:
Average of four fire calls a week at AWE (From Basingstoke Gazette)
1109:
House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 24 July 2006 (pt 1868)
536:
In December 2008, the BNFL share in AWE Management Ltd was sold to
1186:"Investigation into security lapses at Trident site 'was bungled'"
798:"Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Written Ministerial Statement"
506:
479:
309:
16:
UK Ministry of Defence nuclear research and manufacturing facility
1293:
Independence and Deterrence: Britain and Atomic Energy, 1945–1952
1267:
Independence and Deterrence: Britain and Atomic Energy, 1945–1952
709:
expertise is to be used as part of Britain's contribution to the
498:
20:
1012:"Three British nuclear programs are $ 1.67 billion over budget"
934:. MarketWatch.com (18 October 2011). Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
19:"AWRE" redirects here. For the village in Gloucestershire, see
1039:"Reports highlight repeated failures by MOD over four decades"
894:
AWE Aldermaston in Newbury Magistrates Court: 13 December 1999
558:
reported that a scientist at AWE, who had worked on Britain's
555:
922:. Ecology.at (15 December 1997). Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
945:"Safety concerns over Berkshire nuclear weapons factories"
475:. During Hunting-BRAE's management AWE decommissioned the
1319:
197:
1111:. Publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
874:"Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and Predecessors"
823:"Secretary of State for Defence Statement to Parliament"
701:, AWE Blacknest has, for over 40 years, specialised in
364:, established operations on 1 April 1950 at the former
1367:
Military research establishments of the United Kingdom
1144:. Basingstokegazette.co.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
1122:"Fire in Bunker at Atomic Weapons Site in Aldermaston"
664:
disposal, was estimated at £3.4 billion in 2005.
300:
Until June 2021, AWE plc was owned by a consortium of
817:
815:
92:
Royal Ordnance Factories (ROF) Burghfield and Cardiff
1382:
Nuclear weapons infrastructure of the United Kingdom
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Former nationalised industries of the United Kingdom
323:The establishment is the final destination for the
189:
179:
153:
107:
99:
82:
64:
56:
404:In 1954 AWRE was transferred to the newly created
1377:Nuclear research institutes in the United Kingdom
1372:Military units and formations established in 1950
903:. Cndyorks.gn.apc.org. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
612:nuclear deterrent safely and reliably in service.
1412:Government-owned companies of the United Kingdom
517:continued to own all the AWE sites as well as a
429:Atomic Energy Authority (Weapons Group) Act 1973
408:(UKAEA). In 1971, under the provisions of the
842:
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8:
554:. No gamma rays were detected; however, the
540:, an American engineering services company.
89:Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE)
28:
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792:
790:
493:In 1999 Hunting-BRAE lost the contract to
368:airfield. The airfield was constructed in
52:Aerial view of AWE Aldermaston during 2009
46:
1402:1950 establishments in the United Kingdom
1248:: Soc. of Exploration Geophysics, Tulsa.
1070:. Ministry of Defence. 19 November 2020.
967:"Litvinenko: A deadly trail of polonium"
1231:UK Airfields of the Ninth: Then and Now
764:
406:United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
250:research facility responsible for the
27:
1407:Nuclear history of the United Kingdom
711:Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
352:Atomic Weapons Research Establishment
264:Atomic Weapons Research Establishment
7:
1246:Geophysics in the Service of Mankind
1091:US conducts subcritical nuclear test
728:Atomic Energy Research Establishment
419:In 1973 AWRE was transferred to the
1218:. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
270:) with its main site on the former
1124:. BBC News England. 4 August 2010.
989:"Improvement Notice served on AWE"
327:'s Aldermaston Marches march from
14:
1175:. AWE. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
608:To maintain the warheads for the
552:poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko
396:appointed as the first director.
1392:Research institutes in Berkshire
1387:Organisations based in Berkshire
1233:. Old Harlow: After the Battle.
825:. UK Government. 2 November 2020
800:. UK Government. 2 November 2020
599:
525:included safety concerns at the
410:Atomic Energy Authority Act 1971
325:Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
314:Government of the United Kingdom
34:
1299:. London: The Macmillan Press.
1273:. London: The Macmillan Press.
583:Return to government management
1037:Cullen, David (29 July 2020).
1010:Chuter, Andrew (12 May 2020).
723:US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement
639:Los Alamos National Laboratory
1:
1362:Military history of Berkshire
655:Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
632:Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
568:Office for Nuclear Regulation
545:Office for Nuclear Regulation
262:. It is the successor to the
254:, manufacture and support of
222:/atomic-weapons-establishment
653:tests are not banned by the
647:Nevada underground test site
295:non-departmental public body
274:and has major facilities at
240:Atomic Weapons Establishment
155:Non-departmental public body
58:Non-departmental public body
29:Atomic Weapons Establishment
1244:Lawyer. L.C et al. (2001).
1043:Nuclear Information Service
947:. BBC News. 18 October 2019
913:No Nukes Inforesource: Site
560:early atomic bomb programme
70:; 37 years ago
1428:
1229:Freeman, Roger A. (1994).
497:(AWE ML), a consortium of
414:British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
18:
637:AWE co-operates with the
372:and had been used by the
45:
33:
1347:1950 in military history
1096:28 February 2006 at the
538:Jacobs Engineering Group
433:Royal Ordnance Factories
343:and took place in 1958.
302:Jacobs Engineering Group
1140:6 February 2012 at the
918:26 January 2012 at the
509:. AWE ML's subsidiary,
390:High Explosive Research
358:High Explosive Research
341:Direct Action Committee
1216:Britain and the H-bomb
1214:Arnold, Lorna (2001).
600:AWE's responsibilities
246:) is a United Kingdom
138:51.369250°N 1.140528°W
697:Formerly part of the
645:nuclear tests at the
576:National Audit Office
543:Since about 2013 the
421:Procurement Executive
339:was conceived by the
1171:20 July 2013 at the
899:19 June 2006 at the
531:Oak Ridge, Tennessee
447:The formation of AWE
400:Changes in ownership
260:UK's nuclear weapons
143:51.369250; -1.140528
969:. BBC. 28 July 2015
703:forensic seismology
699:Ministry of Defence
515:Ministry of Defence
465:Hunting Engineering
425:Ministry of Defence
291:Ministry of Defence
248:Ministry of Defence
184:Ministry of Defence
134: /
30:
495:AWE Management Ltd
459:Private management
437:Royal Ordnance plc
378:United States Army
362:Ministry of Supply
306:Lockheed Martin UK
293:and operated as a
163:Sir John Manzoni,
83:Preceding agencies
743:Operation Grapple
677:Security breaches
566:In July 2015 the
370:World War II
337:Aldermaston March
236:
235:
180:Parent department
1419:
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1323:
1322:
1320:Official website
1297:Policy Execution
1285:Gowing, Margaret
1259:Gowing, Margaret
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1192:. 8 January 2017
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850:. Archived from
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1194:. Retrieved
1190:The Guardian
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852:the original
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802:. Retrieved
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738:John Dolphin
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521:in AWE plc.
519:golden share
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335:. The first
322:
318:golden share
316:which had a
299:
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237:
126:51°22′09.3″N
108:Headquarters
100:Jurisdiction
25:
1352:Aldermaston
1016:DefenseNews
879:17 December
779:27 February
753:Tube Alloys
651:Subcritical
643:subcritical
218:/government
141: /
129:1°08′25.9″W
112:Aldermaston
1341:Categories
1048:17 October
1022:17 October
973:21 January
951:4 November
829:4 November
804:2 November
759:References
687:MoD police
681:In 2013 a
595:Operations
441:privatised
276:Burghfield
157:executives
1196:8 January
1018:. Gannett
995:19 August
488:plutonium
118:, England
116:Berkshire
1291:(1974).
1265:(1974).
1169:Archived
1138:Archived
1094:Archived
916:Archived
897:Archived
717:See also
439:and was
416:(BNFL).
376:and the
258:for the
256:warheads
229:webpage)
165:Chairman
60:overview
40:AWE logo
858:11 June
610:Trident
511:AWE plc
484:tritium
427:, see
423:of the
347:History
190:Website
73: (
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1277:
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1237:
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1068:GOV.UK
382:Eighth
333:London
308:, and
252:design
227:GOV.UK
65:Formed
1397:Serco
775:. AWE
507:Serco
480:WE177
310:Serco
1301:ISBN
1287:and
1275:ISBN
1261:and
1250:ISBN
1235:ISBN
1220:ISBN
1198:2017
1050:2022
1024:2022
997:2020
975:2016
953:2019
881:2019
860:2018
831:2020
806:2020
781:2016
505:and
499:BNFL
477:RAFs
471:and
384:and
285:AWE
268:AWRE
238:The
214:.gov
200:.awe
75:1987
68:1987
21:Awre
556:BBC
529:at
380:'s
287:plc
244:AWE
216:.uk
212:www
204:.uk
202:.co
198:www
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