Lockheed Martin wins contract to build the Trident II D5 Life Extension missile
Submarine-launched missiles are key to the nuclear deterrent. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin has been contracted to design the next upgrade to the Trident II strategic weapon system (SWS).
The Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE2) missile, as the upgraded version will be called, will be carried onboard the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, and is expected to maintain the credibility of the SWS throughout 2084.
Lockheed Martin won a US$383 million contract modification to design and develop the next generation of the Trident II from the US Government.
Related Articles
Lockheed Martin to make more USN Trident II D5 missiles
New deals awarded for US submarine electronic warfare systems and the USS Ronald Reagan
The system is expected to be critical to the nation’s sea-based defence for decades to come.
Jerry Mamrol, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin, explained that: “The second life extension of the Trident D5 missile will enable the United States and United Kingdom, through the Polaris Sales Agreement, to maintain credibility deterring evolving threats.”
The D5 missile is the world’s most advanced ballistic missile, and is currently carried onboard the Ohio-class submarine in the US, and the Vanguard-class in the UK. As the Ohio-class is due eventually to be replaced by the Columbia programme as carrier of the US nuclear deterrent, so the Vanguard is due to be replaced by the Dreadnought in the UK.
The new missile will be deployed on the next generation of deterrent submarines.
Lockheed Martin will also build an approximately 225,000 square foot facility in Titusville, Florida to produce components for the D5LE2 submarine-launched ballistic missile.
The new facility is expected to bring 300 new skilled jobs to the area. It is scheduled to be ready for operations in 2027, and is expected to remain in operation for the next six decades of missile production, for use by the US Navy.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy seeks AI software suppliers to bolster air and missile defence
The US Navy is conducting market research to find AI software products for the Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defence Planning Programme.
-
Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept
The Goksur will be available in a range of configurations and could be integrated into Turkey’s nascent Steel Dome which is designed to provide multi-layered protection against a range of aerial targets from mortars to aircraft.
-
US Coast Guard advances plans to acquire small response boats
The maritime security service is looking to purchase up to four demonstrators as it seeks to ensure the force’s goals are achievable before continuing its acquisition programme.
-
US Navy goes shopping for maritime uncrewed capabilities
The US Navy has been seeking suppliers to design and build diverse types of aerial, surface and underwater autonomous capabilities, as well as solutions to support their operation.