Draft:AWRE Orfordness

Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Orfordness, or more simply AWRE Orfordness is a former British nuclear weapons component testing facility situated near the town of Orford, in the English county of Suffolk, East Anglia.

It was opened in 1953 to aid with the United Kingdom’s nuclear weapons programme, specifically the testing and development of non-nuclear components, such as bomb cases, fuses and timers. Research was initially carried out on the Blue Danube free-fall nuclear bomb, but later more advanced devices such as Blue Steel, Red Beard, Yellow Sun and WE.117. After the UK’s nuclear deterrent transferred to the Royal Navy’s mostly US-supplied Polaris missile system, testing gradually slowed down on Orfordness, eventually closing in 1972.

Phase 1
Following the successful Operation Hurricane, the detonation of the first British atomic bomb on 3 October 1952, the newly-formed Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE) was looking for a new test facility for the non-nuclear components of the bomb, to supplement the existing site at Foulness Island. The RAF Orfordness bombing range was the perfect candidate; it was located away from the local population, which would remove the risk of harm to the public, and also minimise the risk of espionage.

Current use
All of the AWRE site is now owned by the National Trust, and along with other parts of the former test sites and other preceding facilities form the Orford Ness Nature Reserve. Some parts of the site are open to visitors, such as Laboratory 1, its control room, the Impact Facility and the foundation of the Technical Headquarters. Other parts, such as Laboratories 4, 5 and the Armoury are accessible through National Trust guided tours, or through infrequent special events such as art exhibitions.