Unarmed Trident II in new test flight
US Navy submarine USS Nebraska has carried out flight testing of unarmed Trident II (D5) missiles.
The firings were carried out from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine off the coast of Southern California between 4-6 September.
The testing was part of a Commander Evaluation Test (CET) to validate performance expectations of the life-extended Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system.
The Trident II (D5) has now carried out 176 successful flights. CETs and other flight tests are conducted on a recurring, scheduled basis to evaluate and ensure the continued reliability and accuracy of the system.
The Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system, originally designed with a life span to 2024, recently underwent a life extension to address potential ageing and obsolescence issues and keep it operational through the late 2040s.
The life-extended missiles will serve for the remaining service life of US Ohio-class and UK Vanguard-class SSBNs, and as the initial loadout for the US Columbia-class and UK Dreadnought-class SSBNs.
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