Hardening the Polaris airframe against nuclear blasts did not protect its original warheads. The American Antelope system, called Stag by the British, replaced one of the missile's three warheads with decoys. A special lofted trajectory would reduce exposure to the defensive radar system. Antelope was tested in 1968, but the United States dropped it in favour of the eight-warhead Poseidon C3 described in the reading. Britain continued with a more elaborate arrangement, successively called Super Antelope, Super Stag, and Chevaline. The development joined changes to the missile's payload and flight path in an effort to defeat improving Soviet defences.
Notable Point · 3:42:35-3:43:17
Antelope and the development of Polaris penetration aids
Antelope exchanged a Polaris warhead for decoys and changed its trajectory; Britain's more elaborate development became Chevaline.