University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has been working with the UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment for the last ten years, it has been revealed.
The research site is also likely to be involved in the development – but not production – of the country’s new Astraea nuclear warhead, something which neither party have denied.
This was uncovered yesterday in an investigation by The Sheffield Tribune – piecing together evidence from contracts, meeting minutes, and other documents.
The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is part of the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for developing and supporting British nuclear weapons.
The Astraea warhead is being developed to renew the UK’s Holbrook nuclear fleet.
In minutes from a November 2023 meeting of AWE’s Local Liaison Committee (near their Berkshire headquarters), their Executive Director for Infrastructure on the Fissile Programme makes reference to a “secure cell” at the AMRC.
Andrew McNaughton said: “We already have a secure cell in Sheffield (part of Sheffield University) where we have some of the equipment we have been using here (in MMF) where we are going to be trialling the processes and training some of our employees.”
Asked by a councillor about education in relation to “the work we’re doing with Sheffield University”, Mr McNaughton responded: “We referenced Sheffield as they have a particular facility for advanced manufacturing and the relationship there is looking at how we can take advanced manufacturing principals.”
A spokesperson for the AWE confirmed in a statement to The Tribune – and also received by The Sheffield Tab – that there was a working relationship with the AMRC.
They said: “AWE has been a tier-1 member of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, a world-leading cluster for research, innovation, and training, since June 2015.
“It would not be appropriate to provide details of AWE’s relationship with academia and industry for national security reasons.”
AWE is not currently listed on the AMRC’s website list of Tier 1 members.
Prior to this confirmation, there was evidence of a February 2024 job advert released for an AWE project engineer at the AMRC, as well as a planning application submitted to Rotherham Council for an electricity substation, security upgraded windows, and an emergency shelter to be installed at the Design Centre.
Nuclear weapons expert David Cullen told The Tribune: “The evidence gathered by The Tribune clearly shows that AMRC is working on uranium components in collaboration with AWE. I have no doubt that the University of Sheffield is a partner in the early stages of the Astraea programme.”
The government’s contract finder portal also shows AMRC procurement contracts for radiation detection equipment and an X-Ray Fluorescence Analyser used for analysing “the chemical composition of Uranium and Uranium Alloys”.
These contracts – alongside 12 others dating between June 2022 and October 2023 – contain the code RAPD.
The Tribune said neither the AWE or the University of Sheffield would comment on what the code represented.
However, an “RAPD project” is mentioned in minutes from meetings of the university council in February, July, and October 2023. This includes the council approving uplifts to the project’s capital budget and delegation of authority.
Minutes from July 2023 read: “Delegated authority to the CFO to uplift the RAPD project Capital Budget for future customer driven changes in line with the contract (and delegation already granted by Finance Committee on 27 March 2023) provided that any uplifts were wholly externally funded and reported to Council to note.”
A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield told The Sheffield Tab: “The University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) collaborates extensively with industry and R&D experts, focusing on turning world-leading research into practical improvements for industry and government bodies. Due to the commercially sensitive nature of our industrial partnerships, we can’t disclose specific details about individual research projects.
“Our work at the AMRC involves developing and testing new technologies and processes for manufacturing companies and does not involve production of components for deployment. Our collaboration with partners in the defence sector helps them to overcome sustainability and productivity challenges, and support UK security and sovereign capabilities. All research projects undergo rigorous oversight, including comprehensive due diligence, adherence to national legislation and health and safety regulations. We have published information about our approach on our website.”
The AMRC also works with companies such as Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and BAE Systems. It is based at Sheffield Business Park and in Catcliffe, Rotherham.
The Ministry of Defence was contacted for comment, but did not respond.
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