Posted on 07/20/2010 9:39:48 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs' first underwater launch of a Fleet Ballistic Missile, which was designed and built by Lockheed Martin The Polaris A1 missile successfully launched from the submerged USS George Washington (SSBN-598), the first ballistic missile submarine, July 20, 1960, off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla. This successful Navy test proved the capability of launching missiles from the natural protection of the deep sea, securing a strategic advantage to the nation.
In 1956, as part of a Navy-industry research and development effort, the first Fleet Ballistic Missile, Polaris A1, became a critical component of the U.S.'s strategic triad of defenses. A mere four years later, a 28,800-pound, two-stage ballistic missile with a range of 1,200 nautical miles, powered by solid fuel rocket motors and guided by an inertial guidance system, broke the surface of the water like never before.
"Launching the A1 missile was a significant accomplishment for the Navy and the nation," said Melanie A. Sloane, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "A submerged launch has several added technical challenges and considerations, such as launch tube environment, underwater current flow impacts and pressure differentials at various depths. Overcoming these challenges in concert with our Strategic Systems Programs partner, and evolving the capability over the past 50 years to today's Trident II D5 missile, is a national security mission we are proud to support."
(Excerpt) Read more at defpro.com ...
Ping
Because they were never used for what they were designed to do most likely is the definition of their success.
At 12:39 hours George Washington’s commanding officer sent President Dwight Eisenhower the message: POLARIS - FROM OUT OF THE DEEP TO TARGET. PERFECT.
Isn’t to day also a first in that a Navy laser shot down a drone? Big day for our Navy!
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