On September 17, the U.S. Navy launched two unarmed Trident II D5 Life Extended (LE) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) in a scheduled flight test in waters off Cape Canaveral, Florida. The missiles, launched from Ohio-class submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN-742), landed in the Atlantic Ocean within the U.S. Eastern Test Range instrumented complex. The launches mark...
On February 9, the U.S. Navy flight tested an unarmed Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from waters off the Florida coast. According to an official notice to mariners, the missile was scheduled to fly over 8,000 km to a designated area in the South Atlantic Ocean. The U.S. Navy released no official details concerning...
On February 16, the U.S. Navy successfully test fired an unarmed Trident II (D5LE) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off the coast of San Diego, California. The test quickly follows an earlier Trident II launch on February 12. According to the Navy, the test “validated performance expectations of the life-extended Trident II” and “gathered additional data...
On February 12, the U.S. Navy successfully test fired an unarmed Trident II (D5LE) submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off the coast of San Diego, California. Designated DASO-30, the test demonstrated “the readiness of the SSBN’s strategic weapon system and crew before operational deployment” and marked the 177th successful test of the Trident II weapon system....
On February 4, the U.S. Department of Defense said it had deployed the W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead on a Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The statement confirms an earlier report that the USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) had deployed with the warhead in late 2019. According to the Pentagon, the W76-2 “strengthens deterrence and provides the United...
Between September 4-6, the U.S. Navy test fired four Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) off the coast of California. The tests validated the performance of the life-extended Trident II missile, which was originally designed with a lifespan to 2024. The life-extended missile is expected to be operational through the late 2040s. Entering service...
A major supplier of missile tubes for the U.S. Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine has mulled cancelling future production, according to a USNI News report. In a conference call on August 6, BWX Technologies CEO Rex Geveden cited labor shortages as reason for the move, which would pivot BWX’s business to nuclear reactor manufacturing after completing...
On May 9, the USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740), an Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine, successfully test fired a Trident II D5 sub-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Conducted as part of a general refueling overhaul of the weapons system, the launch marks the missile’s 172nd successful test since its introduction in 1989. Related Links: USS Rhode Island Successfully Tests...
On March 26, the U.S. Navy successfully test fired two unarmed Trident II D5 nuclear missiles. The test, known as Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) 28, took place off the coast of Southern California from the USS Nebraska (SSBN 739). “In addition to certifying the submarine and crew for patrol, the test launch collected valuable...
On March 28, U.K. prime minister Theresa May announced a £600 million ($843.4 million) increase in the Ministry of Defence’s budget for 2018-2019 to fund Britain’s next generation of nuclear submarines. The United Kingdom’s Dreadnought submarine program carries Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which serve as its sole nuclear deterrent. “Today’s announcement will ensure that...
