ABSTRACT
Some exploratory modelling work on the options for possible locations and costings for an underground UK test site took place as early as the late 1950s. This was reexamined in the very early 1960s. Costs, planning and preparations were also investigated. As long as the NTS facilities continued to be available at reasonable cost, the balance of financial advantage lay in continuing use of Nevada for future UK tests and for such safety tests as may be necessary. Following the resumption of UK testing with the Pampas shot in 1962, the Maralinga Experimental Programme for 1962 was scaled back considerably and there were no trials at all in that year. The UKAEA readily accepted in September 1963 that there was no foreseeable need for tests in respect of the nuclear weapons already approved and being developed the WE177 and Polaris for service use.
