Nuclear Weapons and International Security Since 1945
1 total work
This new history, based on extensive archive research, weaves together the political, military and technical histories of Britain's nuclear weapons programme under the Conservative governments of Harold Macmillan and Alex Douglas-Home. It contrasts Britain's perceived political decline and reliance on the United States with growth in available military nuclear capability. In summer 1958, around 50 hand-built atomic bombs were available in the UK, and just one fully successful British two-stage megaton thermonuclear device had been tested; by 1964, despite setbacks, Britain had hundreds of well engineered nuclear weapons, a well exercised low-level bomber force, and advanced new warhead and weapons programmes underway. The book also presents new evidence and analysis on key political events of the period, including the Blue Streak cancellation and the Skybolt crisis. It should be read by anyone interested in the history and military technology of the cold war.