Press Releases

A ground-breaking radiation detection technology, developed to support the UK’s nuclear deterrent, is being made available to nuclear, national security, policing and counter-terrorism organisations. The GMS595 is a sophisticated gamma dose-rate monitor developed by AWE alongside British company JCS Nuclear Solutions. It is the most sensitive gamma radiation monitor available and capable of making fast […]

Following the announcement that the AWE plc will become an Arms-Length Body of the MOD, the Department has decided to appoint Sir John Manzoni as Chair Designate. The existing AWE Management Limited (AWE ML) Board will hand over to John and the new Board of the Arms-Length Body following termination on 30th June 2021; the […]

Statement from AWE Management Limited AWE Management Limited has received notification from the Ministry of Defence of the termination of its Management and Operations contract from 30 June 2021. AWE Management Limited has supported the AWE mission, central to the UK’s defence, for two decades and is wholly committed to the smooth transition of its […]

AWE welcomes the Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Annual Report 2018/19 published today (11 Oct) by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).   The AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield remain in enhanced regulatory attention for the 2018/19 period. This has been in part due to continued operations in ageing facilities while replacements with modern safety standards […]

AWE is working in partnership with Queen Mary’s College and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to deliver a series of fun science workshops on the theme Journey to Space for primary children across Basingstoke and North Hampshire. AWE’s Community Engagement Manager, Philippa Kent, who runs the company’s award-winning schools programme, said: ‘British Science week is […]

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday (8 March) is #BalanceforBetter. AWE graduate Ellie is just one of the diverse team involved in an event to explore some of the key issues around gender balance and why it matters. “Some people think of this as a ‘women’s thing’ but of course, […]

Newbury MP Richard Benyon chatted to AWE graduates and apprentices on 7th November during a visit to AWE and a tour of the Orion laser facility. Mr Benyon also heard about AWE’s unique work in support of the UK’s nuclear deterrent as well as the company’s community work in local schools to promote STEM as […]

Little Heath School designed and delivered a splendid ‘submarine’ to win this year’s AWE Schools Engineering Challenge, narrowly beating Kennet School and Bishop Challoner School. The teams had to ensure their design was fit to float, as the test phase involved a large test tank – it was literally sink or swim for the students’ […]

AWE fined following a guilty plea to offences brought by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974).

AWE is proud to be part of the Thames Valley’s newly-launched Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (YAAN), with two of its apprentices already signed up. The Thames Valley YAAN is part of a national initiative to develop a community of inspiring, driven apprentices and former apprentices. It will work closely with four other areas in the […]

More than 20 physics undergraduates from 14 universities across the UK attended AWE’s Physics Undergraduate Conference recently (8 October) to explore the exciting world of physics. The attendees also had the opportunity to visit AWE’s world-leading Orion laser facility at Aldermaston – to understand how high energy density physics supports the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The […]

AWE has today (18 September 2018) pleaded guilty to offences under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974). The charges were brought by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in relation to an electrical incident which occurred on 27 June 2017. The ONR has stated that this was a conventional health and safety […]

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has today, (25 July 2018) notified AWE of its intention to prosecute the company for offences under Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974), in relation to an electrical incident which occurred on 27 June 2017. AWE statement: The incident happened during routine […]

Graduates from AWE recently encouraged more than 400 pupils from Berkshire and Hampshire to enter this year’s AWE Primary Science Challenge.

Every year on 23 June, AWE celebrates its female engineers to mark International Women in Engineering Day #INWED18, which aims to raise awareness of the number of women in engineering roles and highlight the amazing career opportunities in engineering. This year we are profiling one of our young mechanical engineers, 22-year-old Preeya. She’s been with […]

AWE has been recognized for its adoption of a pioneering waste metal treatment programme. The company received the Vanguard Award for Metal Treatment at the Integrated Waste Management Conference in Cumbria. AWE’s Geoff Druce said: “I was delighted to accept the Vanguard Award, on behalf of AWE, in recognition for our role as an integral […]

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has published its Annual Report 17/18 today. Below is the AWE response to this report –   The AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield remain in ‘enhanced regulatory attention,’ largely due to the fact that we are operating in a number of ageing facilities. Some of these facilities were built […]

A team of AWE graduate engineers intrigued young visitors to this year’s Hampshire TeenTech event with four exhibits and a Laser Maze challenge. TeenTech aims to encourage young people to consider science, technology and engineering subjects. Its events feature leading scientists, engineers and technologists, who showcase leading edge technology in exciting demonstrations and interactive displays […]

The future’s looking sustainable, thanks to the bright ideas of local Key Stage 3 students working with AWE graduates to mark World Environment Day on 5 June. Teams from six schools (Hurst Community College, Brighton Hill School, Park House School, Kennet School, Dove House School and Willink School gathered at the Hurst in Tadley to […]

Experimental physicist Francisco Suzuki Vidal blogs about his experience of undertaking experiments at AWE Orion. It has almost been precisely two years since I finished the very last of my experiments at Orion, one of the largest lasers in the world. Reminiscing my time at this unique scientific facility brings back fond memories of my experience […]