Trident

[seaspear]

"exposure to radiation incident " seems more of lack of procedure ,supervision and training or possibly ignoring of such than catastropic failure Im not aware of any data showing this activity has a higher statistical injury,occupational disease rate or death, than work on conventionaly powered vessels

[GibMariner]

UK has 'secretly' upgraded Trident arsenal and developed an entirely new warhead, report finds

The row over Trident is set to reignite after it emerged Britain has been secretly upgrading its arsenal of nuclear weapons and developed an entirely new warhead.

A report from the Nuclear Information Service revealed ministers have already authorised £85 million for the more accurate and destructive Mark 4A warhead without consulting Parliament.

According to the report, the costs and the timetable of the program have not been revealed to Parliament. David Cameron is now facing calls for an urgent vote on the issue of Trident's renewal following the EU referendum.

The independent research body said work has already been undertaken at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermaston, and new warheads have been tested at Sandia National Laboratories in the US.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06 ... 1465378847

[GibMariner]

Nuclear Disarmament:Written question - 39116

Asked by Emily Thornberry

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 10 November 2015 to Question 14817, what progress the Government plans to make towards nuclear disarmament beyond the steps outlined in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010.

Answered by: Mr Philip Dunne

The UK is widely recognised as the most pro-active of the nuclear weapon states on nuclear disarmament. We remain committed to maintaining a minimum credible deterrent and we believe that our nuclear arsenal is the smallest of the five Nuclear Weapon States as recognised by the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We have reduced our nuclear forces by over half from their Cold War peak in the late 1970s. We reduced the number of deployed warheads on each submarine from 48 to 40 last year and we are reducing our overall stockpile to no more than 180 warheads by the mid-2020s. We possess around 1% of the total global stockpile of approximately 17,000 nuclear weapons.
In addition, the UK plays a leading role on disarmament verification with the US and Norway and continues to press for key steps towards multilateral disarmament, including the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and successful negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... -03/39116/

[GibMariner]

Concerning SSBN Vulnerability

Rear Admiral John Gower, CB OBE

Two BASIC papers published in recent months (The Inescapable Net: Unmanned Systems in Anti-Submarine Warfare and A Primer on Trident's Cyber Vulnerabilities), have asserted the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent is in danger of becoming vulnerable in such a way that it can no longer be relied upon to fulfil its primary role. They detail the threat to the submarines from future swarms of surface/underwater unmanned vehicles (but using the more eye catching descriptor of “drones”) and the more general threat to the deterrent from a cyber threat, not specifically defined but “out there somewhere, clearly”. I will try to offer a measured response to these charges based on my knowledge and experience.

The Management of UK Deterrent Vulnerability

Between late 2008 and late 2014 I was responsible for the annual report on the totality of the vulnerability of the broad range of systems, infrastructure, operations and processes which together constitute the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The organisation whose purpose it is to monitor, audit, horizon scan and report, the Strategic Systems Performance Assessment and Analysis Group, worked for me. Clearly the detailed work which is their day to day bread and butter and the content of those reports are inappropriate material for this paper, but I was and remain confident that the scope is comprehensive, innovative and independent of policy imperatives.

There was and remains no place for complacency and their assiduous attention to detail reflected the broad scope of expertise: analytical, scientific and operational which exists across SSPAG. Thus, although I am clearly unable to quantify detail, I am confident that every element of vulnerability, actual or potential, is identified, analysed and reported upon.

http://www.basicint.org/blogs/rear-admi ... ent-papers

[shark bait]

I not sure I buy into the 'swarms of drones' will make trident irrelevant argument.

If a threat evolves, so will a counter to that threat. In this instance 'swarms of drones' are simple to counter, with another 'swarm of drones'.

A bunch of AUV's can be deployed so cruise around making noise, making detection much harder, forcing the enemy to spend time chasing false positives, whilst our super silent deterrent slips through.

'swarm of drones' will make finding subs easier, but they will also make it harder, so the net effect is neutral, and under water will remain by far the safest place to hide our nuclear deterrent.

[GibMariner]

Trident Submarines: Barrow in Furness:Written question - 40506

Asked by Douglas Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been invested in facilities at Barrow-in-Furness to support the Trident renewal programme in 2015-16.

Trident Submarines: Barrow in Furness:Written question - 40509

Asked by Douglas Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the budgeted expenditure is in (a) 2016-17 and (b) 2017-18 on facility improvements at Faslane to support the Trident renewal programme.

Trident Submarines: Barrow in Furness:Written question - 40507

Asked by Douglas Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budgeted expenditure is in (a) 2016-17 and (b) 2017-18 on facility improvements at Barrow-in-Furness to support the Trident renewal programme.

Trident Submarines: Barrow in Furness:Written question - 40508

Asked by Douglas Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been invested on facilities at Faslane to support the Trident renewal programme in 2015-16.

Answered by: Mr Philip Dunne

The infrastructure and facilities investments being made at the Barrow-in-Furness and Faslane sites are for all our submarines not just the Successor programme. I am withholding internal Ministry of Defence forecasts on future programme expenditure as disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice on-going commercial negotiations.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... -14/40506/

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... -14/40509/

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... -14/40507/

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... -14/40508/

[JayDee]

Commons to vote on renewal of Trident nuclear weapons system on 18 July, UK PM David Cameron says

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36754911

[Jdam]

So this is still a vote on replacing the submarines, not Trident?

[SKB]

The four submarines need replacing. Its not about the actual missiles and warheads.

[FuNsTeR]

seriously why are we investing in Faslane if the Scots vote to leave the UK ?, they have made it clear they don't want Trident it makes no sense other than waste more money that could be invested elsewhere

[downsizer]

Since when did we need to bother with a vote for defence procurement decisions? Shall we vote on every contract now?

[Repulse]

Since when did we need to bother with a vote for defence procurement decisions? Shall we vote on every contract now?

Guess it makes it harder to cancel without another vote? Not a bad idea looking at the opposition.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Since when did we need to bother with a vote for defence procurement decisions? Shall we vote on every contract now?

Guess it makes it harder to cancel without another vote? Not a bad idea looking at the opposition.

Cameron's last chance to leave any legacy (or be remembered in history for anything but mistakes)?

[Ron5]

Commons to vote on renewal of Trident nuclear weapons system on 18 July, UK PM David Cameron says

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36754911

I'm a tad confused as to how Corbyn expects "a demonstrable contribution" to be errrr, demonstrated.

Does he want one dropped on Kungfu Jing (the N Korean fattie) just to show that it works?

Perhaps I shouldn't ask, after all, Corbyn is one of the world's experts on demonstrations. If he doesn't know then nobody does.

[Ron5]

Since when did we need to bother with a vote for defence procurement decisions? Shall we vote on every contract now?

You'll be asking next why did the UK have a vote on EU membership when all the smart (and rich) people said it was obvious that the UK should stay

[shark bait]

Is it possible the timing of the vote is to split the labour party even more ?

As I interpret it the vote is more about the UK continuing to maintain a nuclear deterrent for the next 40 year's, rather than just purchasing some new boats.

[ArmChairCivvy]

Wouldn't think so, the Tories would have 20 of their own defect if Labour split leads a "Centre" party, like you have in most W European countries.
... and any coalition partner would be by far less manageable than the LibDems were

[Pseudo]

Is it possible the timing of the vote is to split the labour party even more ?

It might be Cameron doing Labour a favour if it's played correctly. If Corbyn were to vote against he'd be going against the long established party policy, which would demonstrate the hypocrisy of his criticisms of rebel MP's. Admittedly, it's a thin hope because the split in the party membership over Trident probably follows similar lines to the split over Corbyn.

[marktigger]

its also decisions need to be made now so funding can be identified.
But he with labour in disarray it will be slightly easier to get a majority

[S M H]

The yard at Barrow in Furness would have to start to contract if the lead parts for the successor S.S.B.Ns are not procured. The Astute production is being dragged out some much that we could have built an additional submarine with the cost increases that it caused. So I suspect that the government/ treasury do not want any more cost increasing delays. Making mischief with the opposition leader is a unintended bonus.

[Pseudo]

its also decisions need to be made now so funding can be identified.
But he with labour in disarray it will be slightly easier to get a majority

There'd be no problem getting a majority anyway, about half the Parliamentary Labour Party would support it as a matter of principle. I think that the timing has far more to do with the decision urgently needing to be made after it was delayed from the last parliament to placate the Lib Dems and also giving visible reassurance the UK's commitment to its international role and NATO after the Brexit vote may have given some reason to doubt it.

[marktigger]

but at minute with the opposition in disarray the only coherent voice will be the SNP.

But yes we need to get planning underway to keep sub design and procurement moving

[shark bait]

Yes, the decision is long overdue.

In reality its already been decided because its already had billions spent on the project, this is the final rubber stamp I guess.

[Pseudo]

but at minute with the opposition in disarray the only coherent voice will be the SNP.

The SNP and Lib Dems should be the main voices opposing Trident anyway, since Labour policy is currently to maintain CASD. As far as the vote goes it's a problem specifically for the current party leader because he is against the current party policy. Normally there's a rebellion on the left of the party over the issue, but that generally isn't a problem because the (shadow) cabinet are usually united in favour.

[marktigger]

yeap and if there is no labour whip on the issue