Annual Review. Shaping the future. Annual Review AWE Crown Owned Copyright 2011.

Transcription

1 42 Shaping the future AWE Crown Owned Copyright. AWE is the trading name for AWE plc. AWE is a Government Owned, Contractor Operated organisation. AWE is operated by a joint venture of Jacobs Engineering, Lockheed Martin, and Serco. EDMS3/800D43E8 AWE Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR

2 Shaping the... Welcome 2 Shaping the future 6 Innovation 10 Excellence 20 Building the future 25 Pride 28 Trust 32 AWE and the community 38 Produced by AWE Corporate Communications July

3 2 Welcome by the Chairman A strong position going forward Welcome to the AWE 2010/11 which highlights our work and accomplishments over the past year. The year to 31 March has seen tremendous change and enormous progress at AWE. The change has been as a result of the continuing enterprise transformation. The progress has come from the unfailing commitment of our people to strive to be the best, whether it is in world-class science and technology, leading-edge engineering and production, best practice infrastructure construction and major project management, or outstandingly effective business change. AWE has delivered highly complex and challenging manufacture and infrastructure programmes on time, within target cost and to stated performance and quality milestones. The individual efforts of everyone at AWE have contributed to this highly successful year and I would like to recognise this and thank every single member of staff for all their hard work, dedication, professionalism and flexibility in delivering the programme so effectively. I am delighted that we continue to receive external recognition for both corporate and individual achievements. AWE has delivered highly complex and challenging manufacture and infrastructure programmes on time, within target cost... 3

4 4 For example, work led by the Arms Control Verification Research team won a formal Commendation from the Ministry of Defence s Chief Scientific Adviser, and Professor Peter Roberts, our Head of Plasma Physics, was awarded the prestigious Glazebrook Medal by the Institute of Physics for outstanding leadership in the design, physics and safety of nuclear weapons. All this has been achieved in a year during which the UK Government reaffirmed its commitment to the country s nuclear deterrent through the Strategic Defence and Security Review. However, it has also been a year in which the UK has faced continuing financial constraints, and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has had to take its share of the pain. By our efficiency and cost-saving efforts, we have contributed significantly to ensuring a costeffective nuclear deterrent programme. Safety and security are at the heart of everything we do at AWE, however in August 2010 we suffered a fire in a non-nuclear facility at the Aldermaston site. This incident caused a minor injury and disrupted the local community for which we apologise. Learning all appropriate lessons from incidents arising is a fundamental principle for improvement to which AWE is fully committed. We have taken the opportunity to review, and overhaul where necessary, a wide variety of our key processes and procedures. Our key performance indicators show that safety performance, having plateaued at a very good level for a number of years, is now improving further and we continue our journey to consistent world-class standards. Having led AWE through a period of considerable change, in January Robin McGill announced his decision to step down as Chief Executive Officer of AWE plc. Robin s task was to position AWE to successfully meet the considerable challenges that lay ahead. We thank Robin for his focus on transforming the business; this has enabled us to make significant cost and efficiency savings whilst continuing to effectively deliver the programme. Internationally we continue the close and everstrengthening relationship with our colleagues in the US. The outstanding quality of the scientific and technological work undertaken at AWE means that we are able to make significant and meaningful contributions to our joint working. This international dimension has been reinforced this year following the signing of an historic treaty between the UK and France and the UK Government s announcement that AWE is to forge closer links with its French counterparts in the field of hydrodynamics. This is testimony to the high regard in which AWE is held. The programme to renew many vital infrastructure facilities continues apace. The Gemini office complex, completed and occupied last year, is an outstanding success as is Orion, the high energy density physics experimental facility. In February we invited Professor Mark Welland, the MOD s Chief Scientific Adviser, to join us at an event to celebrate completion of the construction phase of this world-class laser facility, delivered to specification. This superb achievement is due to the outstanding commitment and hard work of the plasma physics and Orion staff. This year also saw the first target shots fired in the new laser facility achieving a number of technical firsts and representing a significant step forward for Orion. Significant progress has also been achieved on two other major infrastructure projects. Mensa is the replacement assembly and disassembly facility at Burghfield and Circinus, the replacement high explosive fabrication facility at Aldermaston. Both are unique buildings with unique challenges in design and construction. However, our best practice construction project management is minimising cost and maximising performance. Work on both these major projects, as well as a wide variety of other construction works, will continue over the next few years.... our best practice construction project management is minimising cost and maximising performance. AWE Management Limited has now successfully delivered the Management and Operation Contract for AWE plc for 11 years and continues to provide strategic leadership, governance, expertise and knowledge. The new strategy takes our partnering approach with the MOD to a new level and shapes AWE for the future challenges. AWE is well placed to continue to play our vital part in maintaining a cost-effective UK nuclear deterrent. Ian Downie, AWE ML Chairman Dr Andrew Jupp has been appointed Managing Director of AWE plc. Formerly Director Site, Andrew has more than 25 years experience with AWE and has held senior positions in assurance, manufacturing and infrastructure management. 5

5 6 Shaping the future AWE has for the past 60 years been at the centre of the UK nuclear deterrence programme delivering UK Government requirements. We have seen major refurbishment of our key operational facilities which are vital to sustaining AWE capability and outputs. Excellent progress has also been made on major capital projects as we build the assets required for this purpose. We continue to make great progress with the decommissioning, demolition and environmental remediation of our sites, while professionally managing our liabilities and achieving business and programme requirements. Collaboration is a real strength of AWE, and our relationship and interactions with the US and France continues to underpin our respective programmes. Our purpose is to ensure that Trident warheads are always available in support of the nation s Continuous At Sea Deterrence (CASD) policy. We also provide wider support to Government, for example in establishing innovative solutions in the increasingly important area of National Nuclear Security. The past 12 months have seen us deliver key elements of the warhead programme which have helped us to lay firm foundations for the future. Key to the success of AWE are our people the scientists, engineers and operational support staff who work together to deliver all elements of the warhead programme. I would like to thank personally each individual for their support and contribution to the delivery of our mission as well as their continuing commitment to the programme and its future. Safety, environment and health are and always will be our first priority. As a team we are totally focussed on maintaining and improving our performance to world class excellence standards. Our current programme covers support to, and delivery of, the Trident warhead at every stage in its life cycle. It is good to walk around AWE s sites and see our people working on the delivery of warhead components and other essential outputs. In such a challenging business, we employ some of the best people in their fields who use a wide range of scientific, engineering and technical skills and professional knowledge to get the job done. We are transforming our sites and have seen delivery of new working areas that have enabled our warhead scientists and engineers to work in a much more integrated way with clear benefits. New scientific and technical facilities are being delivered, such as the Orion replacement laser facility, allowing our staff access to some of the leading assets available. Working with our neighbours is equally important to us. We continue to work though formal and informal interactions to ensure that AWE remains a trusted and respected member of the community. All of these factors place us in a strong position to deliver against Government requirements and play our part in the defence of the UK well into the future. Dr Andrew Jupp Managing Director 7

6 8 Home of the UK s nuclear deterrent Sustaining warhead capability Trident, a submarine-launched ballistic nuclear weapons system, is the UK s sole nuclear deterrent. Our unique technical work covers the entire life cycle of nuclear warheads from initial conception, research and design, through development, manufacture, assembly and maintenance while in-service to final decommissioning and disposal. Following the UK s ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, all of our work must be carried out without recourse to actual nuclear testing a task that poses enormous scientific and technical challenges for the Company. AWE has a proud heritage and has been central to the defence of the UK for more than 60 years, providing and maintaining the warheads for the country s nuclear deterrent. To meet these challenges, AWE has been working to develop new methods of verifying the safety and reliability of the UK s nuclear deterrent through a pioneering science, engineering and technology programme. As a trusted partner to the UK Government, AWE also plays a pivotal role in support of the UK contribution to international arms control treaties and national emergency response arrangements. Our skills and expertise are used to deliver a range of innovative and integrated support services, including national nuclear security and counterterrorism solutions. While AWE plc manages and operates the AWE sites, we are backed by AWE Management Ltd (AWEML), our parent company consortium, made up of three equal partners in Lockheed Martin, Serco and Jacobs Engineering. The AWEML shareholders have provided considerable support to AWE in achieving best practice, flexibility and efficiency goals designed to deliver ever-increasing value for money for the MOD. AWE is an exciting place to work and our commitment is to build on our proud heritage, our excellent people and technologies to create a unique and internationally recognised, trusted partner to Government, delivering innovation and integrated national nuclear security solutions. We have scientists, engineers and business specialists of world renown. Achieving and maintaining the very highest standards in everything that we do is at the heart of our vision for shaping the future. In the Strategic Defence and Security Review, published in October 2010, the Government confirmed its commitment to retaining... a credible, continuous and effective minimum UK nuclear deterrent for as long as the global security situation makes that necessary. It also indicated that a replacement warhead would not be required until at least the late 2030s and that, consequently a decision on replacing the warhead would not be required in this Parliament. In the interim, AWE is retaining capability through system and technology demonstrators. Key drivers are developing techniques to underwrite warhead performance in the absence of underground testing in accordance with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the use of modern greener materials, and the development of non-nuclear components. This work benefits considerably from AWE s continuing collaboration with our US counterparts. The main thrusts of the capability sustainment programme are safety, security and reliability to meet increasingly stringent standards. During the past year, AWE has successfully conducted a triennial assessment of Trident warhead life, in addition to its annual assessment of stockpile health during the reporting year. As a result of the decisions contained in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, a review of stockpile continuity has been undertaken to support CASD and a plan is being developed to take account of warhead requirements. 9

7 10 Innovations of science The Orion laser facility High energy density plasma physics continues to be vibrant with good progress throughout the year and increasing interaction with the UK academic community and our international partners. AWE s Orion laser facility is a testament to world-class scientific achievement in the UK and heralds a new era of high energy density physics experiments. The laser, which will give scientists the opportunity to study densities and temperatures which do not occur naturally on Earth, is housed in a specially designed building the size of a football field at AWE Aldermaston. Orion will be a cornerstone in the continued development of nuclear warhead science in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty era; essential to the ongoing certification of Trident and the design of a successor, should one be required. AWE s Chief Scientist, Dr Daryl Landeg, said: The application of high power lasers to the study of high energy density physics is a fundamental part of our science programme. Orion will provide a precision tool for creating conditions in the laboratory which simulate those found in a nuclear explosion. Orion s unique technical design, harnessing a combination of long-pulse and petawatt beams, allows tiny targets typically a millimetre in diameter to be subjected to pressures and densities normally seen only at the centre of stars. Our Values We lead the way in delivering innovative and integrated solutions, pushing the boundaries of science and technology in the nuclear defence environment. Plasma Physics is the field in which we use high-powered lasers to replicate the physical conditions at the heart of a nuclear explosion on a minute scale. 11

8 12 This capability will also be of immense interest to the wider academic community working in areas such as fusion energy and astrophysics and there are plans to allow collaborative access. Orion is the largest scientific project undertaken at AWE so far. Discussions began in 2001 for a successor to the HELEN laser, and Orion s construction began in During construction, the project has taken three million man hours so far with 10,000 cubic metres of concrete and 1,500 tonnes of steel used to build the facility. Orion fires first target shot The first target shot on Orion was successfully fired on 10 November 2010 achieving a number of technical firsts and representing a significant step for Orion. This will ultimately lead to developing the future capability of Orion to carry out its mission to perform measurements of material properties at warhead temperatures and densities. The dedication, innovation and expertise within AWE in succeeding in this achievement has again demonstrated the potential and pride within our organisation, said Tom Bett, Group Leader Operations from Plasma Physics. In December, AWE completed the construction and installation phase of the project. This phase also required various performance criteria to be met by one of the laser s long pulse (nanosecond) beams and one of the short pulse (picosecond) beams. These criteria, which included synchronising the two beams, were demonstrated with the firing of 29 target shots. The phase ended with the handover of the facility from the construction team within AWE s Major Projects Directorate to the commissioning and operating team within the Plasma Physics Division of AWE s Science and Technology Directorate. The next big landmark for the project is full commissioning which is due to be achieved in the spring of This will be followed by the laser s first experiment after which it will be fully operational and ready for business. It is intended that about 15% of Orion s laser time will be available for collaborative academic research in the high energy density physics field. Information on this will be available on the AWE website later in. Dr Graeme Nicholson, Director Science and Technology, said: I d like to thank the hundreds of people involved for running the project to time and budget. The handover marks a key stage in Orion s history and we need to keep the momentum going to ensure the laser is fully functional to planned timescales. Orion is the largest scientific project undertaken at AWE so far. 13

9 14 US collaborations AWE s Plasma Physics Department worked closely throughout the year with researchers in the US on the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and have continued experiments on the University of Rochester s Omega laser. These experiments explored a number of topics including radiation transport, hydrodynamics, laser-driven radiography, implosion studies and material strength. Radiation science In spring 2010, AWE successfully conducted a series of experiments to assess materials properties and electronic component susceptibility in neutron environments, using the Annular Core Research Reactor in collaboration with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. These were the first UK experiments to be fielded in a reactor environment since the closure of the Versatile Intermediate Pulsed Energy Reactor, known as VIPER, at AWE in The data collected are an essential component of computational validation required for the successful transition to a model based neutron assessment capability. High Performance Computing Supercomputing provides AWE with the ability to carry out the three-dimensional modelling and simulation requirements of its physics, engineering and materials departments. It has been a busy year for high performance computing at AWE. Following the acquisition of the two new Willow supercomputers, Redwood, AWE s old Cray system, was finally turned off in April As soon as the hardware was removed, a new supercomputer almost four times more powerful at 145 teraflop/s (trillions of calculations per second) was installed. Following commissioning, the machine went into service under cost and ahead of schedule in September. The new Bull Systems computer, known as Blackthorn, was deployed successfully on several capability calculations during its commissioning period. This allowed teams working in plasma physics, design physics, material modelling as well as external collaborators to achieve higher fidelity results than ever before. Blackthorn and the two Willow computers together provide in excess of 215 teraflops of computing power with a lower overall electrical power usage than the Cray machine, making them very cost effective to use. The supercomputers in isolation would not work as we would want them, and for this reason the High Performance Computing (HPC) group has been busy working on ancillary hardware and software developments as well. The Ivy visualisation computer was installed during January 2010, but was first fully deployed against Willow and Blackthorn calculations during the summer. These have led to new insights as we are now able to obtain 3D graphics of physics work. AWE also bought a mirror disk system from IBM for the Cedar file storage system, making it resilient in case of localised failure. The system was also expanded tenfold in capacity. For high memory calculations, a resilient (two part) computer called Bonsai has been procured. This is much more cost effective than providing high memory on the Willow and Blackthorn computers, and utilises a novel architecture for global memory access provided by SGI. The networks have also been updated significantly to perform proportionately on the larger sizes of data file generated by the new supercomputers. All of this has contributed to a successful Nuclear Research Advisory Council review in September which acknowledged the progress made by HPC whilst recommending AWE strive towards the next steps forward in capability.... a new supercomputer almost four times more powerful at 145 teraflop/s (trillions of calculations per second) was installed. HPC staff have been working in collaboration with the University of Warwick and Edinburgh Parallel Computer Centre to develop algorithms to allow AWE codes to run efficiently on cutting edge accelerated architectures. Such computers are potentially faster and cheaper to run, but more difficult to utilise than traditional machines, and the best investment approach will be determined over the next few exciting years. 15

10 16 Hydrodynamics Hydrodynamics is the science of forces acting on or exerted by fluids. It s an essential field of research for AWE scientists since, during the complex phases of a nuclear weapon, solid materials behave like fluids when they are subjected to extreme levels of pressure and shock. Hydrodynamics facilities use radiography to measure the performance of materials at extremes of temperature and pressure. This enables us to model the performance and safety of the nuclear weapons in the stockpile without undertaking nuclear explosive tests. The Government announced an exciting new programme of defence co-operation between the UK and France in November 2010 which heralds a new chapter of international collaboration in the area of hydrodynamics for AWE. Consequently, AWE is changing its initial plans for Project Hydrus a replacement hydrodynamics facility into a jointly operated Technology Development Centre (TDC). Alongside this, AWE will be sharing a new hydrodynamics facility called EPURE currently being built in Valduc, France. Both facilities are anticipated to be operational from The TDC, to be built at AWE Aldermaston, will undertake development work to underpin the diagnostic equipment technologies to be used in EPURE. Together the facilities will enable each country to undertake hydrodynamics experiments in a secure environment. The joint facility will be operated by teams of scientists, engineers and technicians from AWE and the Commissariat à l Energie Atomique (CEA), combining the UK and France s engineering talent. Materials science A nuclear warhead contains a broad range of unusual and contrasting materials which have unique handling and processing issues, as well as particular chemical and physical properties. Researching these materials, understanding how they age, and developing experimental and analytical capabilities are key materials science activities that underpin our programmes of work. AWE s materials science research is focussed on three key processes: materials characterisation, new materials development and qualification, and materials ageing and life prediction. With actual nuclear warhead testing no longer possible, our materials science team is working to achieve a deep understanding of the underlying phenomena of the behaviour of materials, to predict what changes to expect and to define the extent of any necessary remediation. Materials science is particularly important in determining warhead component lifespan. New materials development aims to provide sustainable replacements for any ageing materials or materials which are no longer available as well as exploring the synthesis and development of designed materials to provide solutions to specific requirements. All research is underpinned by extensive materials characterisation capabilities, with dedicated suites of equipment for the more demanding materials, e.g. radioactive materials and explosives. There is also extensive research into analysis and characterisation development and in-situ analysis and materials condition monitoring. Materials scientists at AWE place great importance on fostering links with external organisations. Collaborations are in place with both industrial and academic institutes across the globe. Strong links exist with a number of UK universities through sponsorship of PhD and postdoctoral research. This provides valuable support to internal programmes and allows discussion with leading academic players in a variety of disciplines.... a new chapter of international collaboration in the area of hydrodynamics for AWE. 17

11 18 Manufacturing Manufacturing underpins the delivery of AWE s mission to maintain and assure continuity of the UK s nuclear weapon stockpile. Manufacturing operations are undertaken in various facilities across both the Aldermaston and Burghfield sites. AWE s manufacturing encompasses a diverse range of materials and processes including precision component manufacture, explosives formulation, rubbers and plastics, and warhead assembly and disassembly. The manufacturing community also undertakes process technology development, material stewardship and supporting assurance services and manufacturing systems. During the review year, commissioning of various re-kit projects has continued with many upgrades completed and returned to operational status. The small scale component manufacturing facility known as Project Leo is the first new manufacturing building to be constructed since the early 1990s and has now moved into its commissioning phase. This has delivered a major enhancement to our capability at AWE s Burghfield site and will provide a modern working environment for the production staff. We have also successfully re-established a number of capabilities required to meet our customer requirements. Production availability will be the focus going forward to ensure that we provide sustainable support to the UK defence programme. We are supporting this with a strengthened production and integrated project team and planning ahead for transition into the replacement major facilities. The manufacturing community continues to drive the concepts of Total Quality and has embedded quality tools and advanced manufacturing quality techniques into the workplace. These have been implemented using best practice from Lockheed Martin one of our AWE Management Limited parent companies as well as from the automotive industry. This is embedding real quality improvement, owned by our staff, to enable self-measurement of performance and a right first time ethos. Science and Technology Conferences AWE continues to promote and participate in conferences which bring together worldwide experts in many areas of scientific expertise. The Group of Experts in Mitigation Systems (GEMS ) colloquium was successfully held in January at Imperial College London. Led by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), with AWE and Imperial College co-sponsorship, the three-day forum attracted over 100 government and nongovernment specialists in blast mitigation. A number of AWE scientists from a range of disciplines also attended. Formed in 1998 by CPNI, the colloquium is an informal gathering of experts in the field of blast effects and mitigation. Presentations covered blast effects on structures, personnel and vehicles, mitigation of blast and fragment threats, modelling, experimental trials, and international terrorism all of vital importance to AWE and its collaborators. AWE hosted the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) Conference in September. The aim of PONI is to bring together international nuclear experts to discuss the big nuclear issues facing the world. Some 100 delegates from the UK and US attended the event and guest of honour was the Rt Hon Lord David Owen. PONI is a forum managed by the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, on behalf of and supported by the US Department of Energy and Department of Defense, and both the MOD and AWE participate. The Condensed Matter Materials Physics conference (CMMP10), an important UK Institute of Physics (IOP) forum, was held this year at the University of Warwick. Sponsored by AWE, more than 300 delegates attended the conference with a strong AWE science and technology representation. The conference covered a wide range of topical aspects of condensed matter and materials physics. An exhibition showcasing AWE s work in materials modelling, technical outreach, Orion, and our involvement with the Institute of Shock Physics were also featured. 19

12 20 Delivering Excellence Our Values We deliver excellence at every level, behaving ethically and professionally, continually striving for improvement. National Nuclear Security AWE plays a crucial role in the national security of the UK. Our National Nuclear Security programme uses AWE s expertise to provide a number of important capabilities to the Government. In support of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and UK Government National Emergency Response Arrangements, we provide advice and support to the MOD and various other government departments, working to ensure non-proliferation and responding to emergency situations. Our expert team provides vital technical guidance to check global compliance with the CTBT. This is achieved through our forensic seismology and radionuclide competencies, working with the international community to monitor earth movements around the world to detect underground nuclear tests. In fact, our radionuclide laboratory recently became only the fifth in the world to become certified by the CTBT organisation in Vienna to contribute to its monitoring system. We also liaise with government departments to advise on possible verification regimes for any future multilateral nuclear arms control treaty. In addition, AWE provides a 24/7 emergency response capability to deal with any kind of nuclear accident or incident. The team is also available to respond to any nuclear material discovered by HM Revenue and Customs or the police. All of this highly important work must be done without prejudicing national security, while ensuring that no information is made available that could lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. AWE provides a 24/7 emergency response capability to deal with any kind of nuclear accident or incident. 21

13 22 Business Development and Enterprise AWE s Enterprise Strategy was launched in This builds on the strength of the capabilities required for our core nuclear warhead mission. Its objective is to use our unique skills, capabilities and technologies to support both the MOD and other government departments in providing complementary nuclear security-based expertise. AWE s Business Development function was established to support the implementation of the Enterprise Strategy. Over the past year, it has focused on two main themes of activity. Vertical integration: AWE is supporting MOD in delivering CASD at reduced cost by identifying synergies within the deterrent supply chain, integrating key activities and reducing interfaces. AWE and two other Coulport support providers (Lockheed Martin UK Strategic Systems and Marine Division Babcock International Group) submitted a joint bid to take responsibility for the delivery of Strategic Weapons System support at the naval base in Clyde. The bid was still being considered by MOD at the end of the 2010/11 review period. AWE s Director Commercial, Rob Fletcher, said: We are continuing to work towards integrating Coulport into the AWE alliance. This significant opportunity will allow us to maintain stewardship of the deterrent throughout its life cycle: from its design, all the way through manufacture, delivery, in-service and subsequent return to us for decommissioning. Horizontal integration: AWE is working with MOD and other government departments, to utilise the existing nuclear warhead skills base and enhance national security capability at reduced cost. Building on its core programme, AWE has developed and is able to integrate a unique range of world-class capabilities to provide innovative, customised solutions. Capabilities include: Materials Science Systems Engineering Design Physics and Hydrodynamics Supercomputing and Simulation Applied Plasma Physics Nuclear Security AWE also draws upon international support from its parent companies and is developing strategic partnerships with other organisations to respond to Government imperatives. AWE is supporting MOD in delivering CASD at reduced cost by identifying synergies within the deterrent supply chain... More widely, work continues in expanding the support that we provide to other government departments. Our National Nuclear Security capability enables us to provide unique expertise in the areas of counter-terrorism, detection and nuclear forensics. 23

14 24 Corporate Technical Outreach AWE s Technical Outreach programme is at the core of developing our relationship with the UK s science, engineering and technology community. Through our links with institutions such as universities, professional bodies and government agencies, we can build upon and share knowledge for mutual benefit. We continue to collaborate strongly with the UK academic community which provides valuable support to our research programmes. This year saw the University of Bristol become our fifth Strategic Alliance, joining the University of Cambridge, Cranfield University, Heriot-Watt University and Imperial College London. A number of these collaborative projects are now maturing while others continue to be developed during this year and beyond. These specialist areas of work include the fields of smart testing an area which records data from engineering tests in the most efficient manner sensors, synthetic chemistry, and materials science which examine the reactions of foams, adhesives and rubbers. Additional medium and long-term potential collaborations have been identified in areas such as computational chemistry and the development of new detection techniques. Gordon Arthur, Head of Technical Outreach, said: Building on an established track record of excellent research with the University of Bristol, the aim of the alliance is to exploit our complementary strengths to make faster progress on nationally important research and development and to build greater capability in the future. We look to do this with real innovation and also in partnership with research councils and others. Closer links have also been established with the UK Research Councils, in particular, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Ensuring that we have the facilities and infrastructure to support our mission is a major driver at AWE. AWE is now reaching the mid point in the delivery of nine major projects. The past year has been a busy one for both the construction of new facilities to replace buildings which are now more than 50 years old and the refurbishment of existing ones to provide modern, sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. In a time of financial constraint, we continue to demonstrate quality, value for money and ensure that our construction work is safe, secure and environmentally clean. Dr Bob Irvin, Director of Major Projects, said: AWE is transforming its sites into high quality build environments. With a number of significant construction projects underway, our goal is to manage these effectively whilst building fundamental sustainability principles into our business. The development and construction of major projects also requires that we pay special attention to safety. Gemini This office accommodation complex was completed last year to the latest environmental standards and now houses up to 1,400 people. Circinus Once completed, this replacement facility will enable AWE to consolidate a number of high explosive operations in a single facility. It has been designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability while offering the best possible working environment for staff. More than 25 per cent of building materials for this project will come from recycled or sustainable sources, including the use of recycled crushed concrete. Photograph facilitated by the University of Bristol 25

15 26 Pegasus Planning approval was given in February 2010 for this replacement facility which will be used for the handling of enriched uranium. Technical Development Centre This facility will be built at AWE Aldermaston to support the joint Anglo-French Hydrodynamics Research Facility to be constructed at Valduc in France and replaces current facilities. Leo A replacement component manufacturing and research facility for the Manufacturing and Materials Accountancy Operations Division at Burghfield. This project is nearing completion. Conventional Manufacturing Facility This replacement facility will be used for the production of precision components and seeks to consolidate existing operations, currently undertaken in three separate buildings at AWE Aldermaston to a single customised building at AWE Burghfield. Scorpius This project will be situated at Aldermaston and aims to deliver an enduring capability for explosives powder manufacture and research. Orion Orion is one of the world s most powerful lasers. Designed to support the UK nuclear weapons programme, its capability will also be of immense interest to the wider academic community, working in areas such as fusion energy and astrophysics. Orion replaces the HELEN laser which has been taken out of service after over 25 years of operation. Mensa This project will replace the existing assembly and disassembly facilities, some of which were built more than 50 years ago, with a facility which will incorporate modern environmental and safety standards. Construction enabling works began during 2009 and the facility is expected to be commissioned during 2014 and In addition to the construction projects described above, improvements in the sites infrastructure utilities are underpinning the whole development programme. Around the Aldermaston site, a range of activities have been undertaken to improve sewer works, as well as electricity and gas supplies. The sites are also undergoing a programme of facility refurbishments, site enabling work and upgrades to existing operating facilities. RoSPA success In May of last year, AWE s Construction team celebrated news that they had won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award for Construction-Engineering Occupational Health and Safety. Gary Buckley, AWE s Head of Construction, said: This is the fourth year running we have been awarded a Gold Award for Construction Occupational Health and Safety. With construction hours increasing across the sites as the business builds the future, this award is in recognition of all those involved in making AWE a safe place to work. AWE Construction has also achieved a full five star rating in the internationally renowned, British Safety Council s audit programme, at its first attempt. The extensive audit, which took place in October, covered the whole of the safety management system used within AWE Construction. Gary added: This is a very significant achievement. Looking to the future, AWE Construction has now set a new target of achieving the British Safety Council s Sword of Honour. A maximum of 40 of these are awarded worldwide each year to the very best. 27

16 28 Pride in our people What we do is unique and so are the people who work for us. It is the skills and commitment of our people which lie at the heart of AWE s success. A number of distinguished external accolades were presented to AWE employees this year. Our Values We recognise past achievement and are proud to contribute to our nation s security. Institute of Physics Glazebrook Medal During 2010, Professor Peter Roberts, Head of Plasma Physics was awarded the prestigious Glazebrook Medal by the Institute of Physics for outstanding leadership in the design, physics and safety of nuclear weapons. Peter is currently leading the commissioning of the Orion laser facility and has also been instrumental in establishing a Centre for Inertial Fusion Science at Imperial College London. AWE wins MOD award for scientific excellence Work led by the Arms Control Verification Research team at AWE won a MOD Chief Scientific Adviser Commendation Award during the year. This award recognised the important part AWE played in a unique international collaboration with Norway on the science of verifying warhead dismantlement. The project team undertook a highly successful exercise in June 2009, which looked at how a non-nuclear weapon state could verify the dismantlement of a device belonging to a nuclear power, without divulging sensitive information and compromising national security. AWE leads the technical work of this collaboration on behalf of MOD, working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Verification Research, Training and Information Centre. 29

17 30 AWE Project Leader, Dr David Chambers, co-presented the results of this exercise at the United Nations to the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference on behalf of the UK. Dr Graeme Nicholson, AWE s Director Science & Technology, said: The initiative with Norway is the first time a nuclear weapon state has worked with a non-nuclear weapon state and this has placed both countries at the forefront of nuclear disarmament issues. This work clearly fits the company s commitment and values and will continue to evolve in partnership with our customers. AWE recognises achievement From scientific excellence to community spirit, the Company recognised a whole host of outstanding achievers at its 2010 Celebrate at AWE awards ceremony, held in October. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate exceptional achievements throughout the Company from science and engineering, through to team work and leadership. AWE has an unrivalled reputation for having world-class people and skills. For the first time, this year s event brought together the celebration and presentation of awards covering the full diverse spectrum of AWE s achievements. Debbie Plumbly, Head of Reward and Capability said: It s so important for us to identify, recognise and celebrate our people who continually strive for excellence and exceed our expectations. People are our number one asset at AWE, and the impressive amount of nominations received for all our awards demonstrates the value that we place on each other and the pride we have in AWE. In two new award categories, Paul Ellicott was named as AWE s most inspirational leader while James Gregory won the other new award which recognises outstanding commitment by an individual to AWE s business for his dedication in supporting commercial activity. Other winners included David Whithorn who won the People s Award for his work on the identification, conservation and reorganisation of nuclear test veterans information and Marge Wilson who won the Heart Award for her life-long commitment to numerous charities, including Mencap and Heartstart. The Clive Marsh Award, for the most innovative contribution demonstrating flair in early career, was presented to Simon Macleod. Since joining AWE in 2005, Simon has been instrumental in developing key capabilities supporting product certification. He is also a visiting professor at the Institute of Shock Physics at Imperial College London. The John Challens Medal recognises sustained, high quality and valued Science, Engineering and Technology contributions to the work of AWE. This year it went to joint winners Mike Hutchinson and Peter Thompson for their scientific contributions, dedication and personal commitment to nuclear defence for over 40 years. James Gregory David Whithorn Paul Ellicott Peter Thompson Mike Hutchinson 31

18 32 Building trust in all that we do Our Values We build trust in all that we do, meeting our promises and commitments to each other, our neighbours, our customer and our country. Safe, Secure & Clean At AWE we use the phrase Safe, Secure & Clean to describe our commitment to the management of health and safety, environment, quality and security. For a record-breaking tenth successive year, AWE won recognition from RoSPA. The company received the President s Award in recognition of achieving ten consecutive Gold Awards. Gold Awards are presented for a very high level of performance demonstrating well developed occupational health and safety management systems and culture, outstanding control of risk and very low levels of error, harm and loss. AWE was also highly commended by RoSPA in the Dilmun Environmental Award category which recognises excellence in environmental as well as health and safety management. Heather Young, AWE s Director of Environment, Safety and Health, said: This underlines our continuing commitment to improve our health and safety, as well as our environmental record across all our sites. Our aim is to achieve suitable standards in safety and environmental management and these awards reflect that aim. 33

19 34 Environment Our commitment to ensure all our operations are safe, secure and clean underpins everything we do at AWE including our approach to economic, social and environmental sustainability. To be sustainable in our business delivery, we need to procure, operate and decommission sustainable infrastructure and processes. Successful performance means complying with rising stakeholder expectations from our MOD customer, independent regulators and local planning authorities. A sustainable approach is expected by our customers and stakeholders and this is reflected in the AWE business model which requires us to focus on: Economy (financial success) Environment (safe, secure & clean) Social (employer of choice) Our Director of Sites is accountable for sustainability at AWE, but to achieve excellent performance we depend on everyone on our sites playing their part. Building on successful outcomes in transport, waste and the built environment, we have refreshed our approach to sustainability during the past year. AWE s environment strategy has been developed to look as far ahead as 2030 with short, medium and long term aims. This in turn underpins updated plans for sustainability and energy management intervention. Underpinning our plans will be a drive to optimise our sites to ensure we maximise value for money across our sites. To achieve this will require us to reduce waste to a minimum. Sustainable development With AWE s sites undergoing significant redevelopment, sustainability is recognised as crucial to the long-term viability of AWE capability. Sustainability appraisals are undertaken to identify potential construction impacts before major development schemes are authorised. All new build projects at AWE requiring planning permission must achieve the Defence Related Environment Assessment Methodology (DREAM) excellent rating for environmental performance. Major refurbishment projects are required to achieve a very good rating. Construction projects like Orion, Gemini and Leo have all been completed with ecologically sympathetic, sustainable urban drainage systems designed to hold back heavy rainfall events and mitigate the volume of offsite surface water flows. At AWE Burghfield, a comprehensive landscape strategy is being implemented, including a large-scale tree planting programme. Managing waste AWE s integrated waste strategy ensures that the Company continues to drive improvements and exceed the requirements of legislation. We are creating a culture where it is second nature to minimise the production of waste and maximise the reuse, recycling and energy recovery of any waste which can t be avoided. We continue to strive to prevent pollution, reduce the consumption of resources and minimise waste through a commitment to recovery and recycling. This is achieved by providing a consistent framework for the sustainable management of all waste across the Company. Combined recycling bins for paper, card, plastic bottles and cans has been introduced, along with new routes to improve reuse, recycling and recovery for nylon, hard plastic and residual wastes. Over the last year we diverted 73.12% of all solid waste from landfill. In addition, we have also successfully diverted 89.95% of our construction and demolition wastes from landfill in the same period. Waste officers have been appointed in operational areas to provide a local focal point for the sustainable management of waste. A centrally located waste service desk has received and assigned almost 9,000 requests for controlled waste related services over the past year. We have been working with industry to realise opportunities to recycle and recover waste rather than using landfill disposal. Following the initial trials for treating contaminated metal, we have completed further work with the supplier and have so far processed 11.2 tonnes and diverted 98% of the material from landfill. During the year we have also disposed of approximately 1,000 radioactive sources of which 30% have been treated for recycling. New management arrangements, including operational processes, are currently being developed for solid and non-aqueous radioactive waste and project managed waste which will go live during. Construction Recognising the potential environmental impact that AWE s construction activities can have on the community, we plan our activities as carefully as is possible. We have improved the awareness and intervention by providing the right people to help our construction contractors reduce intentional and accidental releases to the environment and to segregate wastes to improve recycling and re-use. Construction projects requiring the delivery of large quantities of concrete over a number of days and nights have required careful logistic planning to ensure no community complaints were received. Keen to share best practice with the rest of the nuclear industry we have hosted a workshop outlining our experiences whilst also learning from others. Working with external partners we have also been able to identify beneficial re-use opportunities for construction materials close to and on our sites. 35

20 36 Reducing our cost carbon footprint We have identified 15 facilities that together account for the largest proportion of electricity usage within the company. They were asked to reduce their electrical use by at least 5% this year and their progress is examined each month by the Company s Executive team. We are proud to say that we have achieved 9.59%. In 2010 AWE signed up to the Carbon Disclosure Project through which we share our carbon reduction activities from policy through to action against a common set of criteria. Overall feedback shows that we are better than the average among participating organisations. However, we still have some way to go before we would be considered good or excellent in this area. Travel and transport AWE has continued its work with local councils to improve road and cycle routes around our sites. We have continued to promote the use of alternative transport such as bicycles and buses through the provision of safe transport networks. These improvements have been recognised by our neighbours and West Berkshire Council as having improved local traffic flows. In particular, we have vastly improved the quality of the road which feeds into the Pingewood Gate entrance to the AWE Burghfield site. In 2006 we pledged to reduce the number of single occupant vehicles driving onto our sites from 82% to 65% at Aldermaston and from 92% to 75% at Burghfield by By the end of 2010 the figures were 69% at Aldermaston and 76% at Burghfield. Biodiversity Looking after any protected species on site is an important element of sustainability. At AWE we are fortunate to have a colony of Great Crested Newts at one of the ponds at our Aldermaston site. When work was needed on one of the ponds, it was not a simple task to just carry out the mechanical works. A newt protection plan was prepared and submitted to Natural England for their approval. We currently have 18 known pairs of breeding Great Crested Newt on site. Public dose assessment The calculated doses for the review year represent minute fractions of the dose constraint set by the Environment Agency of 0.5 msv per year for a nuclear site. The model below shows that there is no hazard to members of the public. Health and safety The introduction of the Full Spectrum Leadership scheme at the end of 2009 provided the company s leadership team with a clear set of behavioural standards. During 2010 we developed this further by increasing the education opportunities for our leadership communities. The model demands high standards and reinforces leadership accountabilities in all aspects of delivering our strategy and business model. Discharge route Aldermaston (msv) Burghfield (msv) Guidance Levels (msv) Apr 10 to Mar 11 Apr 10 to Mar 11 Atmosphere Trade Effluent N/A 0.5 Aldermaston Stream N/A 0.5 Risk management During 2010 we undertook a full assessment of our current Environment Safety and Health Risk Assessment procedure. The aim has been to create a simplified process, reduce the administrative burden and focus on identification of the required controls rather than the classification of the risk. Case management A case management tool known as FOR@action was launched to capture reports on incidents, near misses and other unplanned events. The tool tracks the process right through to corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Staff engagement AWE recognises that the best way to protect our employees and visitors from harm or illness is to ensure they are involved. Commitment from all sides is vital in improving health and safety: AWE s management team, our employees, and trade unions, all need to be working together. To support this, a Worker Involvement Day was organised through union safety representatives. Speaking at the event, Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health and Safety Executive, said: You are already starting from a strong position and your achievements in the past have been recognised with a number of notable safety awards from bodies such as RoSPA. But what I am particularly pleased to see that your Target Zero activities focus on the valuable contributions which everyone not only can, but must, make to build the culture you are aiming for. Nuclear safety During 2010, a number of positive developments in process, procedure, training and leadership were implemented in support of nuclear safety. One key element has been the development of a course for AWE s frontline workers designed to enhance understanding of the safety case and the controls necessary. Work is now in hand to roll-out the training to frontline workers in AWE s high hazard facilities. Making Safety Cases real Operating and maintaining AWE s wide variety of hazardous plant, safely and cleanly, is essential. To achieve this we must look beyond the boundaries of AWE to learn lessons from other high-hazard environments. We have employed innovative techniques to thoroughly analyse our safety case processes and have developed a Safety Case Integrity Model. This describes the expected set of organisational and procedural factors required for the production of a safety case for a hazardous plant. Awareness and involvement Four nuclear safety communications events were held in late 2010, with the aim of increasing awareness across the Company of the work of the Nuclear Safety Group and to establish a dialogue within the Company. Approximately 200 people from a variety of disciplines attended and provided positive feedback. 37

21 38 AWE and the community As a major local employer, AWE has an important role to play in the community. Our goal is to be a good, safe and trusted neighbour. We want people living close to our sites to be confident about safety and informed about our activities. Engaging with the local community AWE operates a Local Liaison Committee (LLC) which brings together around 40 representatives of local authorities in Berkshire and Hampshire for quarterly meetings. The LLC provides a forum through which members can meet with the Company s senior management team to build an understanding of AWE s focus on safe, secure and clean operations. During 2010, members visited a range of site facilities at AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield and received presentations designed to give them a real insight into different aspects of our business and operations. Science, engineering and technology in schools To support the teaching of science, engineering and technology, our Schools Liaison team worked with 76 schools this year, ranging from infant schools to secondary schools and sixth form colleges. In addition to the many stimulating science and technology challenges and competitions arranged throughout the year, our scheme also offers a wide range of services to schools on the scheme including the loan of educational equipment and grants towards the cost of science text books. Highlights of the past year included the running of the AWE Schools Water Rocket Challenge in July hosted by the Mary Hare School in Newbury. The competition is aimed at budding physicists aged 14 to 15 who are challenged to use their technical knowledge, science skills and creativity to build a rocket from a plastic fizzy drink bottle. This must fly using a combination of water and air pressure with entries judged on distance, time in the air and overall design. The event was won by the Hurst School, near Tadley, Hampshire and their prize was a trip to the Science Museum in London. For primary age children, the annual AWE Chain Reaction Challenge again proved popular. Designed to encourage interest in science and engineering at a young age, teams design and build a chain reaction device from ordinary materials found in the home or classroom. Charitable support AWE values its links with the charitable sector and also supports the efforts of staff in fundraising activity. Two AWE Charities of the Year one local and one national are selected by staff, with a team of AWE graduates co-ordinating the fundraising efforts. This year, 20,000 was raised and shared equally between The Pelican Cancer Foundation and Help for Heroes. The diverse fundraising efforts included a comedy night, fun run, cake and book sales and a quiz night. Requests for support from individuals and good causes are managed by AWE s Community Committee which donated a total of 25,000 this year. A wide range of organisations benefited including Brownie and Scout groups, other local community organisations, voluntary emergency responders and drama groups. Additionally, every year AWE s Community Committee makes a one-off donation to a local good cause nominated by employees. This year, 5,000 went to St Michael s Hospice, Basingstoke. 39