Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 13 May,Official Report, column 154, what estimates he has made of the total development costs for the possible vehicle of the replacement for the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.
§ Mr. AitkenSeveral options are being considered for the vehicle for the WEI 77 replacement, and estimated development costs are different for each option. These estimates are derived from commercially confidential information provided by possible suppliers. Release at this stage could prejudice our future negotiating position with these potential suppliers.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 13 May,Official Report, column 154, how many American tactical air to surface missiles are being studied as possible replacements for the WE177 free fall nuclear bomb.
§ Mr. AitkenTwo. These are the short-range attack missiles-tactical (SRAM-T) and the tactical integrated rocket ramjet missile (TIRRM—a derivative of the supersonic low-level air target, or SLAT).