Q&A ยท 48:19-48:33

Why Violet Friend was politically too ambitious

Britain's Violet Friend ABM concept exceeded political willingness more than scientific capability.

Question

Was the Violet Friend anti-ballistic-missile system too ambitious for Britain?

Short answer

It was too ambitious for the political class, not necessarily for Britain's scientific and technological base.

Notes

Technical feasibility and political support imposed different limits on Violet Friend. Britain's scientific and technological base could pursue the system, but the political class considered the commitment too much.