U.S. Navy's Ohio-Class Submarine Successfully Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles

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SSBN Successfully Launches Multiple Ballistic Missiles
UNITED STATES - 14 JUNE 2010

The missile flights of FCET-42 and FCET-43 mark the 131st, 132nd, 133rd and 134th consecutive successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile since 1989 - continuing a record of reliability that is unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle.

KINGS BAY, Ga. -- USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (Gold) conducted two Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test (FCET) resulting in the successful flight of two Trident II D5 missiles, June 8 and 9.

The missile flights of FCET-42 and FCET-43 mark the 131st, 132nd, 133rd and 134th consecutive successful Trident II D5 and provide valuable information on operational reliability, accuracy, and performance factors of the missile system.

The Trident II D5 fleet ballistic-missile is the latest generation of submarine launched ballistic missiles following in the success of the Polaris, Poseidon, and Trident I C4 programs; providing increased firepower, flexibility, and assurance to the strategic deterrence mission.

Maryland's outstanding performance during the FCET's demonstrates that the ballistic missile submarines remain ready and vigilant, in a secure and survivable posture, able to rapidly respond to national tasking. The stealth, agility, payload and persistence of the submarines, in combination with the skill of the submariners, keep the SSBNs undetectable and, therefore, the only survivable nuclear deterrent platform in the United States arsenal.
An FCET starts with a currently underway submarine being randomly chosen to launch a missile; the scenario is set just as if the action was necessary for national defense. While conducting their normal patrol, Maryland receives the message to launch their missiles. The boat returns to its homeport to convert from a tactile weapons configuration to a test configuration and returns to sea. The submarine and crew receive a training message to launch their missiles. The crew mans Battle Stations Missile and the ultimate test of the most powerful missile in the fleet begins.

The event is videotaped, watched live in Washington and monitored by Navy Strategic Systems Program (SSP). SSP is the Navy's manager for all aspects; development, manufacture and support of the Trident weapons systems. The test is conducted to verify the reliability of the missile and its launch systems. The missile is targeted to a special weapons range and there are a number of safety features and redundancies in place to insure the missile stays on its predetermined course.

"The Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic, Naval Ordnance Test Unit, Lockheed Martin and a number of contractors all make a huge effort to ensure the safety and realism of this test," said Lt. Cmdr. Shaun Servaes, weapons officer, Submarine Squadron 20. "An SSBN crew's mission is deterrence but this test of their weapons' system is proof that if called upon for national defense, they are ready."

The successful launches add to an already impressive list of achievements for the "Fighting Mary" which was awarded the 2009 Battle "E" ,the second consecutive award for Maryland, Engineering "E", Communications "C", Damage Control "DC" and the Navigational "N" for excellence in those departments.

The submarine also earned the prestigious Omaha Trophy, presented by United States Strategic Command for 2008, in recognition of Maryland's Blue and Gold crews combined superior effort in maintaining Maryland at the highest level of readiness and safety.

File Photo: U.S. Navy USS Maryland (SSBN 738)

 

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U.S. Navy Test-Fires Trident Missiles
UNITED STATES - 16 JUNE 2010

The U.S. Navy carried out four successful test-firings of its Trident ballistic missile system last week as part of an effort to ensure the continued viability of its submarine-based nuclear deterrent, the service announced in a press release.

Two Trident 2 D-5 nuclear-capable missiles were launched from the USS Maryland last Tuesday, followed by two more the following day. The missile tests bring the total firings of the submarine-based system to 134 consecutive successful launches.

The USS Maryland, out on sea on patrol at the time, was selected at random to fire its missiles. After returning to port to reconfigure its systems for the missile test, the submarine reembarked and was sent a training communication to fire its missiles.

The successful firings show "that the ballistic missile submarines remain ready and vigilant, in a secure and survivable posture, able to rapidly respond to national tasking," according to the Navy release.

"The Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic, Naval Ordnance Test Unit, Lockheed Martin and a number of contractors all make a huge effort to ensure the safety and realism of this test," Submarine Squadron 20weapons officer Lt. Cmdr. Shaun Servaes said in released comments. "[A ballistic-missile submarine] crew's mission is deterrence but this test of their weapons' system is proof that if called upon for national defense, they are ready"

 

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Lockheed Martin-Built Trident II D5 Missile Achieves New Record of 134 Successful Test Flights In A Row
UNITED STATES - 22 JUNE 2010

SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 22nd, 2010 -- The U.S. Navy conducted successful test flights June 8 and 9 of four Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBMs) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). The U.S. Navy launched the unarmed missiles from the submerged submarine USS Maryland (SSBN 738) in the Atlantic Ocean.

This test marked the 131st, 132nd, 133rd and 134th consecutive successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile since 1989 – continuing a more than 20-year record of reliability that is unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle.

“We are proud to support the Navy in its crucial strategic deterrence mission,” said Melanie A. Sloane, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Navy’s Trident missile prime contractor. “These successful missile tests demonstrate the readiness and reliability of the entire Trident II D5 Strategic Weapon System and the unflagging commitment to excellence of the full Navy and industry team.”

The Navy launched the missiles as part of a Follow-on Commander’s Evaluation Test. The Navy conducts a continuing series of operational system evaluation tests to assure the safety, reliability, readiness and performance of the Trident II D5 Strategic Weapon System, as required by the Department of Defense’s National Command Authority. The Navy conducts the tests under the testing guidelines of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Each missile was converted into a test configuration using a test missile kit produced by Lockheed Martin that contains range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.

First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard OHIO-class submarines and British VANGUARD-class submarines. The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been the strategic missile prime contractor for the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs since the inception of the Fleet Ballistic Missile program more than 50 years ago. Lockheed Martin Space Systems employees, principally in California, Georgia, Florida, Washington, Utah and Virginia, support the design, development, production, test, and operation and sustainment of the Trident Strategic Weapon System.

Lockheed Martin leads the industry in performance and domain expertise in strategic missile and missile defense systems. Lockheed Martin designs and produces ballistic missiles, interceptors, target missiles and reentry systems with unmatched reliability. Lockheed Martin’s focus on operational excellence yields affordable high-quality systems and services.


Source: Lockheed Martin


Trident II D-5 Intercontinental Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile :

Trident II is a three-stage solid propellant missile with supersonic speed. Missile guidance is provided by an inertial navigation system, supported by stellar navigation. Trident II is capable of carrying up to 12 MIRVs (multiple independent re-entry vehicles), although the SALT treaty limits this number to eight a missile.

The U.S. Navy has achieved 134 consecutive successful submerged test launches of the D5 missile since 1989 -- a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. The Trident missile is currently aboard OHIO-class submarines and British VANGUARD-class submarines patrolling international waters.

Country: United States of America
Alternate Name: UGM-133
Class: SLBM
Basing: Submarine launched
Length: 13.42 m
Diameter: 2.11 m
Launch Weight: 59090 kg
Payload: 8 MIRV Mk 4 or Mk 5 RVs
Warhead: Nuclear W76 100 kT or W88 475 kT
Propulsion: 3-stage solid
Range: 12,000 kilometers
Status: Operational
In Service: Since 1990 and still in service

 

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Photo: The ballistic submarine USS Maryland transits the Atlantic Ocean during its 55th strategic deterrent patrol. USS Maryland is one of the 14 ballistic missile submarines committed to the enduring mission of strategic deterrence.