X-Nico

unusual facts about Royal Ordnance



BROACH warhead

Development of BROACH began in 1991 when Team BROACH consisted of British Aerospace RO Defence, Thomson-Thorn Missile Electronics and DERA.


see also

Folly Tower, Pontypool

This was in the belief that its presence would be a landmark for the Luftwaffe seeking to raid the nearby Royal Ordnance Factory at ROF Glascoed to the east beyond Little Mill.

ROF Chorley

It was planned as a Permanent Royal Ordnance Factory with the intention that it, unlike some other similar facilities, would remain open for production after the end of World War II; and, together with ROF Bridgend (Filling Factory No. 2), would replace the Royal Filling Factory located at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich.

In 2000 the Royal Ordnance headquarters function was transferred to BAE System's Filton, Bristol site and more recently to Glascoed in Monmouthshire.

ROF Leeds

The problems associated with ROF Leeds were solved when Royal Ordnance agreed the sale of the factory and intellectual property rights of the Challenger tanks to Vickers plc on 4 October 1986, the final agreement was signed on 31 March 1987 valuing ROF Leeds at £15.2 million.

Steve Pitchford

Steve Pitchford worked as a highly skilled miller in several Engineering companies in Leeds and was held in high regard at Crabtree Vickers, the Printing Press manufacturers on Water Lane in the City, and, after the closure of that company, at the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) at Barnbow in East Leeds, where he was renowned for his good nature.

Thorp Arch

ROF Thorpe Arch, a former World War II Royal Ordnance Factory near the village of Thorp Arch