7th .. 23rd October
IRGON undertook a substantial research trip to the United States. The research was mainly concentrated on the AFTAC “R” OTH radar system which was installed at Orford Ness. We surveyed the site of the prototype at Muirkirk, MD, interviewed the chief designer of the system, and surveyed the site of the first operational system in the desert at Roswell. The picture shows a talk given by IRGON at Roswell entitled “Walker AFB and Orford Ness: A Common Mission”. A PDF version is available here.
21st September 2025
Also as announced in KLAXON, the IRGON team set up our gazebo at Bentwaters Cold War Museum Open Day. The event was a great success, with four IRGON members supporting.
15th August 2025
As announced in the KLAXON 6, IRGON had a presence at the Radar in the Air day at the BT facility at Adastral Park, Martlesham. The event was extremely successful and our stand was set up close to our colleagues of the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society (MHAS). We met many interesting contacts and gathered significant research leads.
2nd August 2025
KLAXON 6 has been published, with the usual information on upcoming events, plus interesting articles on the Island of Secrets tour, the Atoms for War and Peace art exhibition in the USA, and an update on the kinetheodolites of Orford Ness.
17th May 2025
On Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May, IRGON contributed to the Cold War weekend on the Ness. In cooperation with the National Trust, we set up an information display illustrating the history of Orford Ness in the Cold War. Six of our members were on site at various times.
17th April 2025
Our latest newsletter is now available! Besides containing useful information about upcoming events, there are articles about testing infra-red fuses for guided weapons on Orford Ness, and some details of a new survey (Heritage and Archeology Rangers Team), organised by the National Trust and supported by IRGON.
27th March 2025
IRGON presented a lecture to the Royal Aeronautical Society, Christchurch Branch. The lecture was entitled “Orford Ness Through the (Military) Ages” and delivered at the University of Bournemouth. Our lecture was well received and we met a couple of useful contacts.
20th December 2024
Our latest issue of our newsletter KLAXON contains many interesting Orford Ness stories! You can download the PDF version here.
17th October 2024
Three members of IRGON were present at the Cold War Network day on Orford Ness. IRGON also made a short presentation, and several useful contacts were made. In all, an excellent day on the Ness!
8th September 2024
IRGON had a very successful day at the Martlesham Heath Open Day. Our tent was visited by several Orford Ness veterans and we are following up these valuable leads.
12th August 2024
KLAXON edition 3 is now available. Download it here.
15th February 2024
The second issue of Klaxon is now available, covering our current activities such as WW1 research, lifeboat drop trials, and other subjects. You can download it here.
31st January 2024
A new article describing how the first French nuclear test in the Sahara was detected from Orford Ness. You can find it here.
17th November 2023
A new article on the COBRA MIST over-the-horizon radar has been added. Check it out here.
13th October 2023
IRGON has produced its first newsletter, outlining our current research projects. You can download our newsletter here.
7th July 2023
IRGON gave a presentation about nuclear test detection at the Charterhouse Nuclear History Conference.
22 January 2023
Model ballistic range: A new CGI graphic video has been added and includes an audio track. https://youtu.be/LKPnEk65dGo
9th January 2023
The independent journalist Mark Piesing has written an article on Orford Ness with the cooperation of various IRGON members. It is on the BBC Future web site, entitled “The eerie emptiness of ‘Britain’s Area 51’ “. Although other establishments (e.g. RAF Rudloe Manor) have been christened thus, the Ness fits into the genre quite nicely. See the article here: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230106-the-eerie-emptiness-of-britains-area-51
19 November 2022
The following CGI graphic videos have been updated and now include an audio track
- Orford Ness 1966 Site Flyby
- Orford NessBomb Ballistics Phase 1 with Timing Lights
- Orford Ness Over the Horizon Radar Chaplain Flyby
- Orford Ness Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Impact Facility with Bomb Runs
- Orford Ness Blue Streak Rig Tilt Rotation Elevation
28 October 2022
A new article by Steve Clifton covering Bomb Ballistics Trials during the Cold War period has been added to the IRGON Research Tab.