The Navy
launched the unarmed missiles in the Pacific Ocean from a submerged
Ohio-class submarine. The missiles were converted into test configurations
using kits produced by Lockheed Martin that contain range safety devices
and flight telemetry instrumentation. The test flights were part of
a demonstration and shakedown operation, which the Navy uses to certify
a submarine for deployment following an overhaul.
"This reliability record is a testament to the unwavering dedication
to the deterrence mission by the Navy program office, the submarine
crews and the industry team," said Mat Joyce, vice president of
Fleet Ballistic Missile programs and deputy for Strategic and Missile
Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems. "Building on a
six-decade history of success, we're moving into the future by implementing
new engineering methods that will pave the way for continued innovation
and performance."
To support the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs, Lockheed Martin
is incorporating modernized electronics technology to cost effectively
prolong the service life of the D5 missile design on current and next-generation
submarine platforms. These two missile flights formally qualify the
new flight control and interlocks electronics packages for deployment
in 2017. The modernized avionics subsystems, which control key missile
functions during flight, enable missile life extension through 2042.
The company also is transitioning to designing components in a digital
environment and using 3-D printing to efficiently produce prototypes.
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"This
is an example of how Lockheed Martin continually moves forward in advancing
our ballistic missile systems to ensure that we are employing the latest
technologies to meet our customers' mission and budget requirements,"
said Joyce.
The Trident II D5 missile is deployed aboard U.S. Navy Ohio-class
and U.K. Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines to deter nuclear aggression.
The three-stage ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000
nautical miles and carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies.
First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard U.S. Navy
Ohio-class and U.K. Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines. 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 bodies. The Fleet Ballistic Missile team has produced six generations,
each more capable than its predecessor: the Polaris A1, Polaris A2,
Polaris A3, Poseidon C3, Trident I C4 and Trident II D5 missiles.
Lockheed Martin has been the Navy’s strategic missile prime contractor
since the program’s inception in 1955. The United States and the
United Kingdom signed the Polaris Sales Agreement in 1963, which was
modified in 1982 to provide for the Trident II D5 missile system. Since
1968, Lockheed Martin has provided program management and engineering
services to the Royal Navy under the terms of the agreement. |
A Trident II launch from a submerged submarine.
Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile components. (Lockheed Martin illustration)