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Country: UK
Type: SLBM
Introduction: 1969 |
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The British became interested in Polaris after the cancellations of the Blue Streak and Skybolt missiles. An Anglo-American Polaris Sales Agreement was signed on April 6, 1963. As part of the agreement the United States would supply Britain with Polaris missiles, launch tubes, re-entry vehicles and the fire control system. Britain would make the warheads and submarines. The missiles entered British service in 1969.
In order to maintain their deterent in light of the deployment of an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system around Moscow, the British developed a new re-entry vehicle with new warheads and ABM countermeasures. This system was know as Chevaline. The integrated upgraded Polaris and Chevaline system was known as A3TK and carried two new warheads in an upgraded British-designed re-entry vehicles. This system was deployed from 1982 to 1996.
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| General Information |
| Developed by |
USA |
| Deployed by |
UK |
| Deployment Year |
1969 |
| Retirement Year |
late 1990s |
| Number deployed |
133(test launch:about 50) |
| Contractor |
British Aerospace(Chevaline System), Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation (Missile) |
| Dimensions and Performance |
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Length |
9.55m |
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Launch Weight |
13,600kg |
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Accuracy |
900m CEP |
| Components |
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Propulsion |
2-stage solid-fuel rocket motor |
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Payload |
1-3 RV 500kg |
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Warhead |
200kT nuclear(Chevaline) |
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Guidance |
inertial navigation system |
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