PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why did the RAF give up nuclear weapons...
Old 7th Apr 2016, 21:31
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BEagle
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
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Researching the history of XH538, the Vulcan our crew used for Double Top Phase 2 and Giant Voice 1979, I discovered that it was once used for dummy Skybolt trials.

It looked pretty daunting carrying 2 missiles - each weighing 5000 kg with a 1.1 MT Red Snow warhead. If I recall correctly, the UK was going to field some 70+ Skybolts....

But then came MacNamara and eventually Polaris - and the RAF lost its strategic nuclear capability, with WE177 considered a 'tactical' weapon. Albeit in -B form, a pretty big one!
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