List of Operational Requirements for nuclear weapons

This list of Operational Requirements for nuclear weapons shows known Operational Requirements (ORs) specifically for nuclear bombs intended for use by the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom (UK).

An Operational Requirement, commonly abbreviated OR, was a UK Air Ministry document setting out the required characteristics for a future (i.e., as-yet unbuilt) military aircraft or weapon system. The numbered OR would describe what type of weapon was required. Operational Requirements were carried over with the dissolution of the Air Ministry and the creation of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Table of Operational Requirements
Operational Requirementyearservicedescriptionweapon
OR.10011946Royal Air ForceAtomic bombBlue Danube
OR.11271953Royal Air Force / Royal NavySmall kiloton bombRed Beard
OR.11321954Royal Air ForcePowered guided bombBlue Steel
OR.11391954Royal Air ForceMedium range ballistic missileBlue Streak
OR.11401954Royal Air ForcePowered guided bombBlue Steel
OR.11411954Royal Air Forcewarhead for the powered guided bombGreen Bamboo
OR.11421954Royal Air ForceMegaton warheadViolet Club
?1955Royal NavyKiloton warhead for Seaslug missileIndigo Hammer
?1957British ArmyKiloton 8-inch artillery shellYellow Anvil
?1958British ArmyGuided missile warheadBlue Water
?1958British ArmyAtomic demolition chargeViolet Mist
OR.11531958Royal Air ForceFree-fall megatonbomb
OR.11551958Royal Air ForceMegaton warhead for anti-ballistic missile
OR.11561958Royal Air Force / Royal NavyNuclear depth charge
OR.11571958Royal Air ForceMegaton warhead for anti-ballistic missile
?1958Royal NavyMegaton warhead for naval use
OR.11591958Royal Air ForcePowered guided bombBlue Steel
OR.11601958Royal Air ForceMegaton warhead for powered guided bomb
OR.11611958Royal Air Force / Royal NavyLightweight warhead for powered guided bomb
OR.11661958Royal Air ForceWarhead for Bloodhound missileIndigo Hammer
OR.11711959Royal Air ForceMegaton warhead for bomb or missileRed Snow
OR.11721959Royal Air ForceKiloton warhead for Seaslug, Bloodhound and Blue WaterRO106/Tony
OR.11761960Royal Air ForceVariable-yield kiloton warheadWE.177
OR.11771960Royal Air ForceKiloton Red Beard replacementWE.177
OR.11781960Royal Air ForceNuclear depth charge
OR.11791960Royal Air ForceMegaton warhead for Skybolt
OR.11821960Royal Air ForceLong-range air-surface missile
OR.11871960Royal Air ForceSkyboltSkybolt

Further reading
  • Moore, Richard (2010). Nuclear Illusion, Nuclear Reality: Britain, the United States, and Nuclear Weapons, 1958-64. Nuclear Weapons and International Security since 1945. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 81–82. ISBN 978-0230-21775-1. OCLC 705646392. "A study of the political, military and technical aspects of Britains nuclear weapons programme under the Macmillan government, contrasting Britains perceived political decline with its growth in technological mastery and military nuclear capability. Important reading for anyone interested in the history and military technology of the cold war" – Publisher

See also
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