IRIA News

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The U.S. Navy has awarded a $383 million contract to Lockheed Martin to develop the next generation of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile to continue the United States’ sea-based strategic deterrence.

The American defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin received the cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification contract to design and develop the upgraded Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) missile. The modernized, integrated missile will be deployed on COLUMBIA-class ballistic missile submarines, ensuring the strategic weapon system’s credibility through 2084.

Vice President of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin, Jerry Mamrol said, “We are proud to continue our critical partnership with the U.S. Navy to take deterrence into this new era,” adding that “The second life extension of the Trident D5 missile will enable the United States and the United Kingdom, through the Polaris Sales Agreement, to maintain credibility deterring evolving threats.”

The Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), built and upgraded by Lockheed Martin, is the most advanced ballistic missile in the world and is currently aboard U.S. OHIO-class and UK VANGUARD-class submarines.

The Trident SLBMs serve as a second-strike weapon, ensuring retaliatory capability if the U.S. or U.K. were attacked. The missile’s long-range and stealth capabilities enhance deterrence, discouraging adversaries from launching a first strike.

To ensure reliability through 2084, the Trident II D5 has undergone several modernization efforts including, D5LE (Life Extension Program) – upgrading guidance, propulsion, and electronics to extend operational life, D5LE2 Upgrade – further enhancements to maintain effectiveness, and integration with COLUMBIA-class SSBNs.

The Trident SLBMs serve as a second-strike weapon, ensuring retaliatory capability if the U.S. or U.K. were attacked. The missile’s long-range and stealth capabilities enhance deterrence, discouraging adversaries from launching a first strike.

According to the Lockheed Martin statement, “The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.”

This year, Lockheed Martin will celebrate 70 years of supporting the U.S. Navy in developing and sustaining the missiles that form the backbone of the nation’s sea-based deterrence through its Fleet Ballistic Missiles program.

The Lockheed Martin statement highlights that the company’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program is critical to preserving American and allied security with a focus on innovation through advanced digital technology, modern facilities, and a culture of excellence.

In 2023, the U.S. Navy test-launched its Trident II D5 Life Extension Fleet Ballistic Missile from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The Navy demonstrated the readiness of the USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) crew and certified the submarine for deployment.

The solid rocket motor of the missile is powered by U.S. defense firm Northrop Grumman and the company is also modernizing and digitizing Trident II D5 manufacturing processes, which includes the implementation of advanced digital models, to further enhance manufacturing and enable sustained production for future demand.

Besides the U.S. Navy, the Royal Navy operates a fleet of four nuclear-armed submarines carrying Trident nuclear-capable missiles. Last year in February, the United Kingdom misfired a Trident II D5 missile that crashed into the ocean yards from the British nuclear submarine that launched it. The unarmed missile was misfired during a military drill involving HMS Vanguard, the lead boat of her class of Trident ballistic missile-armed submarines.

Key Specifications of the Trident II D5:

• Length: 44 feet (13.4 meters)
• Diameter: 83 inches (2.11 meters)
• Weight: ~130,000 pounds (58,500 kg)
• Range: Over 7,500 miles (12,000 km) (exact range classified)
• Speed: ~Mach 24 (around 17,500 mph or 28,000 km/h)
• Warhead Capacity: Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs)
• Warhead Type: W76 or W88 nuclear warheads (various yields)
• Guidance System: Inertial navigation with celestial updates and GPS enhancements
• Accuracy: Circular error probable (CEP) of ~90 meters