Designated
FCET-52, and spanning a three-day period, the operation marked the 158th,
159th, and 160th successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile.
The primary objective of an FCET is to obtain, under operationally representative
conditions, valid reliability, accuracy, and performance of the missile
system for use by Commander, Strategic Command and the Joint Chiefs
of Staff.
Safety of the public was paramount throughout the mission. The missiles
were unarmed and all launches were conducted from the sea, flew over
the sea, and landed in the sea. At no time did the missiles fly over
land. |
A credible,
effective nuclear deterrent is essential to our national security and
the security of U.S. allies and friends. Strategic weapons tests, exercises
and operations such as FCET-52 demonstrate the readiness of the submarine
launched Trident II missile. As the most survivable leg of our strategic
deterrent Triad, it provides the national command authority with assured
second-strike capability. |
A Trident II launch from a submerged submarine.
Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile components. (Lockheed Martin illustration)