Can offer this info only in reference to the Air Force, but AF SAC units spent 3 month
rotational duties to England (Upper Heyford, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Marham, Sculthorpe and Wyton),
attached to the RAF, during the period of the British Nuclear test development. Maybe some vets
from other service branches can shed light on presence at UK tests.
Series Name
Test Name
Date
Location
Delivery
Yield
*
Hurricane
03 Oct 1952
Monte Bello (Lagoon-HMS Plymouth)
Oceanic Surface
25 Kt
Totem
Test 1
14 Oct 1953
Emu Field
Tower
9 Kt
Totem
Test 2
26 Oct 1953
Emu Field
Tower
7 Kt
Mosaic
G 1
16 May 1956
Monte Bello (Tremouille Is)
Tower
14 Kt
Mosaic
G 2
19 June 1956
Monte Bello (Alpha Is)
Tower
56 Kt
Buffalo
One Tree,Round 1
27 Sept 1956
Maralinga (One Tree)
Tower
13 Kt
Buffalo
One Tree,Round 2
04 Oct 1956
Maralinga, (Marco)
Ground
2 Kt
Buffalo
Kite,Round 3
11 Oct 1956
Maralinga, (Kite)
Land Airburst
3 Kt
Buffalo 4
One Tree,Round 2
22 Oct 1956
Maralinga, (Breakaway)
Tower
11 Kt
Grapple
Grapple 1, Short Granite
15 May 1957
Malden Is, Pacific
Ocean Airburst
200-300 Kt
Grapple
Grapple 2, Orange Herald
31 May 1957
Malden Is, Pacific
Ocean Airburst
720 Kt
Grapple
Grapple 3, Purple Granite
31 May 1957
Malden Is, Pacific
Ocean Airburst
150 Kt
Antler
Round 1
14 Sept 1957
Maralinga (Tadje)
Tower
1 Kt
Antler
Round 2
25 Sept 1957
Maralinga (Biak)
Tower
6 Kt
Antler
Round 3
09 Oct 1957
Maralinga (Taranaki)
Balloon burst
27 Kt
Grapple X
Round C
08 Nov 1957
Christmas Is
Ocean Airburst
1.8 Mt
Grapple Y
Round Y
28 Apr 1958
Christmas Is
Ocean Airburst
2 Mt
Grapple Z
Pennant 2
22 Aug 1958
Christmas Is
Balloon-burst
-1 Mt
Grapple Z
Flag Pole 1
02 Sept 1958
Christmas Is
Ocean Airburst
2.5-3 Mt
Grapple Z
Halliard 1
11 Sept 1958
Christmas Is
Ocean Airburst
2.5-3 Mt
Grapple Z
Burgee 3
23 Sept 1958
Christmas Is
Balloon-burst
1 Kt
* First British Nuclear Test.
The UK ceased independent nuclear tests after the 1958 series.
Additional joint underground or storage/transport tests occurred at the NTS and NAFR-Nellis Air Force Range (Nevada) from 1961 til 1991.
Test Locations:
Maralinga Test Range in South Australia (bordering Western Australia), includes the
following Sites:
One Tree Site; Marco Site; Kite Site; Breakaway Site; Emu Field
Includes only atmospheric tests involving "weapons" and "weapons effects".
Does not include tests involving "safety related tests" of equipment.