Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles
In 1955, Britain began developing a long-range liquid-fueled missile, the Blue Streak. Although initial concepts included an inter-continental range missile [ICBM], work soon focused on an intermediate range missile [IRBM]. This single stage silo-based missile, raised vertically on an elevator for launch, was projected to have a range of 2,500 miles. The Blue Streak program was cancelled in favor of the air-launched Skybolt program on 13 April 1960 on the grounds of cost and vulnerability.
The research program was split between Rolls Royce and Dehavilland (later Hawker Siddley). Dehavilland were responsible for the airframe and Rolls Royce for the RZ 2 rocket engines. The project featured an inertial guidance system designed and built by Sperry Gyroscope Co. Ltd. The engines were built by Rolls Royce using Atlas missile technology licensed from North American Rocketdyne. Blue Streak static test firing facilities were established at Spadeadam in Cumbria, and flight tests were conducted in Woomera, Australia. The first rocket firing took place in August 1959, but by this time the Fixed Site Ballistic Missile (FSBM) was being phased out, after the deployment of American THOR missile sites in eastern England.
Blue Streak was then adapted to be used as the first stage of the ELDOs (European Launcher Development Organisation) Europa satellite launcher. The first Blue Streak first stage launch was carried out at Spadeadam’s twin site of Woomera, Australia on June 5th 1964 – 4 other first stage launches were carried out successfully, but second and third stage launches were unsuccessful.In 1967 Britain announced that in 1971 it would pull out of the Europa program. The last Woomera launch was on 12th January 1970 and the last ELDO launch was carried out in French Guyana in 1971; by April 1973 the European project was cancelled totally.
The United Kingdom also operated American-built Thor IRBMs under dual key arrangements.
