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 data about the performance of the D5 Life Extension missile configuration,” said Eric Scherff, vice president of Navy Strategic Programs at Lockheed Martin. “Instead of warheads, the missiles carried test kits and instrumentation to give us troves of information about flight and subsystem performance. The joint government and industry team will use this data to assess performance and to inform maintenance and sustainment plans for the upgraded Trident missile fleet for decades to come.” Captain Mark Behning called the test “an important demonstration of the reliable and credible sea-based leg of the US nuclear deterrent triad.”