Project E was a Cold War arrangement under which the United States
provided the United Kingdom with nuclear weapons for the Royal Air Force
(RAF). It was later expanded to provide warheads to the British Army,
and there was a maritime version known as Project N that provided
nuclear depth bombs. US personnel retained custody of the weapons, and
handled their storage, maintenance and readiness. The first bombers
equipped with Project E weapons were Canberras (example pictured). Due
to the operational restrictions, and the loss of independence of the
British nuclear deterrent, Project E bombs were phased out in the
strategic role in 1962, although they still equipped tactical bombers,
and were used on the Thor missiles operated by the RAF from 1959 to 1963
under Project Emily. The British Army acquired Project E warheads for
its Corporal, Honest John and Lance missiles, and its artillery pieces.
The last Project E weapons were withdrawn from service in 1992.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_E>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1655:
Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovered Titan, the
largest natural satellite of the planet Saturn.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_%28moon%29>
1807:
The Slave Trade Act became law, abolishing the slave trade in
the British Empire.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_Trade_Act_1807>
1949:
The Soviet Union began mass deportations of more than 90,000
people from the Baltic states to Siberia.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Priboi>
1975:
King Faisal of Saudi Arabia was shot and killed by his nephew
Faisal bin Musaid.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faisal_bin_Musaid>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
adytum:
1. (Ancient Greece, religion) The innermost sanctuary or shrine in an
ancient temple, from where oracles were given.
2. (by extension) A private chamber; a sanctum.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/adytum>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument an exchange of
ignorance.
--Robert Quillen
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Quillen>