Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment

Dissolved1984Superseding agency
  • Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE)
JurisdictionGovernment of the United KingdomHeadquartersFort Southwick
Portsdown Hill, EnglandParent DepartmentAdmiralty
Ministry of Defence, Navy Department

The Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE) and later known as the Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE) was a department of the British Admiralty and later Navy Department (Ministry of Defence) responsible for research and development, into the design and testing of devices, equipment, and techniques in-regard to naval communications, electronic counter-measures, radar missile control and other related fields it was based at Portsdown Hill, Hampshire, England[1] from 1959 to 1984.[2]

History

ASWE Building on Portsdown Hill

In 1959 the Admiralty Gunnery Establishment (AGE) and Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment (ASRE) were merged to form Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE),[2][3] this was due to advances in missile technologies research. It was responsible for research and development in relation to naval communications, missile control systems by use of radar, and electronic counter-measures.[2] In 1971 as the ASWE was expanding its work it assumed responsibility for navigational compass development, this resulted in the Admiralty Compass Observatory becoming its Navigation Division within this department.[2] In 1984 as part of a further centralisation of R & D work being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence, it was merged with two other departments the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE) and Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment (AMTE) to form the Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE).[2]

The AWSE building on Portsdown Hill was demolished 2010-2011.[4]

Timeline

  • Admiralty Experimental Department (1917-1941)
  • Admiralty Signal Establishment (1941-1948)
  • Admiralty Signal and Radar Establishment, Portsmouth (1948-1959) and Admiralty Gunnery Establishment (1931-1959)
  • Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE), Portsdown, Portsmouth (1959-1984)

References

  1. ^ "Former radar site is finally demolished". The Portsmouth News. Johnston Publishing. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment and predecessors: Records". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives, U.K, 1918-1983, ADM 220. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  3. ^ Harding, Richard (2005). The Royal Navy, 1930-2000: Innovation and Defence. Hove, Sussex, England: Psychology Press. p. 274. ISBN 9780714657103.
  4. ^ Portsdown Main: The old Art Deco building on the hill which once overlooked Portsmouth, Portsmouth News, 22nd Mar 2023

External links

  • v
  • t
  • e
Department of Admiralty
Direction and control
of Admiralty and Naval affairsBoards and offices under
the First LordDirection of
Admirals
Naval/Sea Lords
War and Naval StaffSecretariat and staff under
the First Sea LordOperational planning, policy
strategy, tactical doctrine
requirementsDivisions and sections
under the War and
Naval Staff
  • Administrative Planning Department
  • Administrative Planning Division
  • Air Division
  • Anti-Submarine Division
  • Anti-Submarine and Warfare Division
  • Anti-U-boat Division
  • Air Warfare Division
  • Air Warfare and Fly Training Division
  • Air Warfare and Training Division
  • Combined Operations Division
  • Communications Division
  • Convoy Section
  • Directorate of Defence Plans (Navy)
  • Economic Warfare Division
  • Gunnery and Anti-Aircraft Warfare Division
  • Gunnery Division
  • Gunnery and Torpedo Division
  • Historical Section
  • Local Defence Division Division
  • Mercantile Movements Division
  • Naval Air Division
  • Naval Air Organisation and Training Division
  • Naval Artillery and Torpedoes Division
  • Navigation and Direction Division
  • Navigation Division
  • Minesweeping Division
  • Mobilisation Division
  • Naval Intelligence Division
  • Operations Division
  • Operations Division (Home)
  • Operations Division (Foreign)
  • Operations Division (Mining)
  • Plans Division
  • Plans Division (Q)
  • Press Division
  • Signal Division
  • Signal Section
  • Standardisation Division
  • Tactical Division
  • Tactical and Weapons Policy Division
  • Torpedo Division
  • Torpedo, Anti-Submarine and Minewarfare Division
  • Trade Division
  • Trade and Operations Division
  • Training and Staff Duties Division
  • Tactical and Staff Duties Division
  • Undersurface Warfare Division
Offices of the Sea LordsAdmiralty civil departments
and organisations
under the Sea Lords
Direction/Command of the FleetNaval formations after 1707
Naval formations before 1707Direction of Naval FinanceDepartments under the
Parliamentary and Financial SecretaryDirection of Naval Administration
and the Admiralty Secretariat
  • Department of the Permanent Secretary
Branches and offices under the
Permanent Secretary
  • Admiralty Central Copying Branch
  • Admiralty Central Registry Branch
  • Admiralty Record Office
  • Admiralty Library
  • Admiralty Secretariat
  • Air Branch
  • Civil Branch
  • Legal Branch
  • Military Branch
  • Naval Branch
  • Ship Branch
Civil Administration
Departments under the
Civil Lords
Legal