Between 1940 and 1955, Britain explored controversial radiological weapons. Keen to discover further military uses for atomic energy, defence officials and scientists initially approached the field with much hope and optimism. However, technical difficulties, economic costs, public and political aversion, competition from other controversial weapons, and even the resistance of scientists themselves, soon came to dominate the direction of policy. This article explores the unique British experience with radiological weapons, determines how far Britain ventured down this questionable path, and accounts for why, after over a decade of research, they were judged a step too far.

在1940年至1955年之间，英国探索了有争议的放射性武器。由于热衷于发现原子能的进一步军事用途，国防官员和科学家最初对这个领域充满了希望和乐观。但是，技术难题，经济成本，公众和政治上的反感，与其他有争议武器的竞争，甚至科学家自身的抵抗，很快成为了政策方向的主导。本文探讨了英国在放射性武器方面的独特经验，确定了英国沿着这条可疑道路走了多远，并解释了为什么经过十多年的研究，他们被认为走得太远了。