Our legacy
Back in 1950, AWE’s Aldermaston site was established on a former WWII airfield.
Now, here in 2024, we are celebrating 74 years of service to the safety and security of the UK. We’ve been a centre for nuclear research and innovation, driving forward our mission to keep the nation safe. AWE has always been a home of cutting-edge research and facilities. In fact, before AWE was even established, our site at Aldermaston was home to innovation- for example, the Supermarine Spitfire, one of the most iconic planes of WWII, was assembled and tested on the Aldermaston Airfields.
We’ve taken that spirit of innovation forward into our work over the years, from being the home to some of the UK’s first ever supercomputers to incorporating virtual reality and 3D printing into our processes.
During our 74 years of service, we’ve: supplied the UK deterrent, trained over 4,000 apprentices and employ around 6,000 staff, welcomed prime ministers and royalty to our sites and have opened our cutting-edge Orion Laser Facility.
2021
In May 2021 AWE were ranked number 21 in the UK’s 25 Best Big Companies to Work For. On 30 June 2021 the AWE Management Limited contract for the management and operations of AWE plc was terminated. AWE plc became an arm’s length non-departmental public body, wholly owned by the Ministry of Defence, on 1 July 2021.2010
AWE celebrates 60 years of service to the nation, playing a vital role in the defence of the realm.
Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) sets out Trident life and UK stockpile requirements to maintaining a credible, continuous and effective minimum UK nuclear deterrent.
The Anglo-French Treaty is signed by UK and French Governments, setting out a programme of defence cooperation between the two nations. The Treaty provides for collaboration through shared hydrodynamics facilities: one at AWE Aldermaston, the other in Valduc, France.
2020
Like millions of organisations, the COVID 19 pandemic saw a total change to the way we worked at AWE. Despite all of the challenges throughout 2020, operations were maintained throughout the year.
2019
AWE was named as one of the top Best Big Companies to work for at the Sunday Times Best Companies Awards 2019.
2018
Engineer Jim West awarded an MBE for services to nuclear safety
Scientist Giles Graham awarded an OBE for services to national security and counter-terrorism
Presented with the Corporate Champion plaque by the Science Council to professionally recognise our technicians
AWE commissioned a new supercomputer, Damson, capable of performing 4.3 million billion calculations per second
In August, the Mensa team achieved 2 million hours without a RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases or Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) incident since November 2016
2017
AWE recognised as a top 100 apprenticeship employer
AWE exhibited at the prestigious Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
AWE team supports Exercise Letterpress, a collaboration between UK, Sweden, Norway and the US, to support national security
2016
Scientist Brian Lambourn awarded an MBE for services to the UK nuclear deterrent programme
Samantha McRae wins Maintenance Apprentice of the Year at the UK Nuclear Skills Awards
AWE celebrates 10 years accreditation with the Royal Society of Chemistry
AWE wins south-east Large Employer category in the regional rounds of the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards 2016
9001- ISO 9001 accreditation
2015
Orion fires landmark 1000th target shot
AWE named 2015 West Berkshire Employer of the Year
The National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 (SDSR) sets out the Government’s approach to national security
2014
His Royal Highness The Duke of York visits the Orion laser facility in his capacity as patron for the International Year of Light
University partners take part in first academic experiments at the Orion laser facility
AWE becomes one of the first to pledge continued support for young people in industry by signing up to the 5% Club
AWE exhibits ‘Set the controls for the heart of the Sun’ at The Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition
2013
The Orion laser facility becomes fully operational.
Professor Peter Roberts, chief scientist, receives OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
2012
Construction work begins on the Technology Development Centre (TDC) to support the collaborative hydrodynamics work set out in the Anglo-French Treaty.
AWE provides Nuclear Security support to the Olympics in London.
Sponsored by the Home Office and the MOD, a new state-of-the art nuclear forensics laboratory opens, supporting national nuclear security.
Contract awarded to the ABL Alliance to manage the strategic weapons services at the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Coulport.
2011
Leo, the replacement component manufacturing and research facility at Burghfield fully operational.
David Newton, chief engineer, awarded an MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours.
2011
The ABL alliance, led by AWE and including Babcock International and Lockheed Martin UK, named as preferred bidder to deliver strategic weapons systems activities at Coulport.
Building work begins on Pegasus, the replacement materials processing facility at Aldermaston and also on Phoenix, the replacement conventional manufacturing facility at Burghfield.
2010
Orion Laser facility construction completed and first target shots fired from the laser.
Willow and Blackthorn super computers give AWE 215 Teraflops of processing capability with upgrade to 450 teraflops in 2012.
AWE suffered a fire in the explosives manufacturing area of the Aldermaston site. This led to prosecution by the HSE in 2013.
2009
Shareholder change from BNFL to Jacobs.
AWE Apprentice Academy in top 2% of adult learning providers in the UK and awarded Ofsted Grade 1 status.
2007
UK Parliament endorses commitment to maintain minimal deterrent beyond life of existing system.
Building work is nearing completion of the replacement laser facility, Orion. The new accommodation buildings, known as Gemini, are also underway.
2006
Government White Paper on ‘The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent’ setting out the intention to maintain the UK nuclear deterrent by procuring a new generation of ballistic missile-carrying submarines and by extending the life of the Trident D5 missile.
Award for Best Large Employer of apprentices by Learning Skills Council and ranked 24th in a review of ‘Britain’s Top 100 Employers’.
2005
The Secretary of State for Defence announced the programme of investment in new buildings, facilities and employees to ensure the existing Trident warhead can be maintained throughout its intended in-service life.
2004
Prince Andrew visits AWE to celebrate 25th anniversary of Helen laser facility.
Work begins with the MOD on plans for a revolutionary long and short pulse replacement laser facility.
AWE’s Radionuclide Laboratory became only the fifth laboratory in the world to be certified by the CTBT Organisation in Vienna.
Recognised by RoSPA for the fourth consecutive year. ISO 9001:2000 accreditation for quality management and BS 7799 for information security.
2003
AWE’s training scheme granted accreditation by the Royal Society of Chemistry and was re-accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
Peter Marshall OBE of AWE Blacknest appointed a Companion to the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List. David Youngs of the design physics department was awarded the MBE.
2001
Support for weapons convoys moved from the RAF to AWE.
AWE achieves ISO 14001 for environmental management standards of excellence.
2000
Planning permission received for a replacement high explosives fabrication facility at Aldermaston and for a conventional manufacturing facility at Burghfield. Approval also received for the construction of a replacement warhead assembly and disassembly facility at Burghfield.
2000
AWE Management Limited sign a single 25 year contract for the management and operations of AWE plc.
50th Anniversary of opening of AWRE Aldermaston.
1999
British Government announces AWE Management Limited (BNFL, Lockheed Martin and Serco) to take over running AWE.
AWE transports first shipment of weapons grade plutonium to storage under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
1998
WE177 withdrawn from service Trident warhead enters full service.
Plutonium facility at Aldermaston fully operational.
New explosives analysis facility opened at Aldermaston.
Creation of William Penney fellowships.
UK ratifies the CTBT.
1997
Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (now known as the Office for Nuclear Regulation) grants site licences for Aldermaston and Burghfield.
AWE Cardiff closes and AWE withdraws from Foulness.
AWE scientists participate in CTBT Preparatory Commission
1996
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty signed by UK, US and 90 non-nuclear states.
Chevaline withdrawn from service.
1994
First Trident submarine – HMS Vanguard – enters service.
UK Government announces intention to licence AWE under the Nuclear Installations Act
CTBT negotiations begin in Geneva. AWE provides advice on verification and on-site inspection
