Posted on 12/08/2006 6:59:03 AM PST by MARKUSPRIME
CAPE CANAVERAL: The U.S. Navy conducted a successful test launch Nov. 21 of two Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBMs) built by Lockheed Martin. The Navy launched the unarmed missiles from USS Maryland (SSBN 738) at the Eastern Range in the Atlantic Ocean.
With this two-missile mission, the Trident II D5 missile has achieved 117 consecutive successful test launches since 1989 -- a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. The launches are part a continuing series of operational system evaluation tests conducted by the Navy 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 and conducted under the testing guidelines of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
"The D5 missile's superb record is a result of continual technical advances under the exceptional leadership of the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs," said Tory Bruno, vice president of Strategic Missile Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "The Navy's rigorous testing program helps to ensure the reliability and credibility of this critical national security asset."
First deployed in 1990 and scheduled for deployment until 2042, the Trident II D5 is aboard 12 of an eventual 14 Trident II-configured Ohio-class submarines. The three-stage, solid propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile has a range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime strategic missile contractor and missile system program manager for the U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs. Approximately 2,400 Lockheed Martin Space Systems employees, principally in California, Georgia, Florida, Washington and Utah, support the design, development, production, test and operation of the Trident strategic weapon systems.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.
I wouldn't doubt if we could drop them INTO an enemy silo.
Oughta make China/Russia think three times!
Mike
You know what scoots me. We need to resume underground testing. I don't like the idea of testing new warheads by computer. Plutonium pit reliability has always been a bugaboo with me, and I would be rather comfy if we'd shake a few people up with reliability testing.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Different test...the one that failed was a anti-missile missile fired from a surface ship....(USS Lake Erie, an Aegis cruiser).
I'd prefer resuming atmospheric testing - in the form of launching a Dyson Super-Orion loaded with Thors into orbit before the Chinese who have no Political Correctness compunctions against atmospheric tests do so ...no 'Pearl Harbour UP' in 2041 please.
24 x 7 = 168 warheads
They are also variable yield weapons. Each one could be able to be cranked up to 1.2 MT = 1,200,000 tons of TNT. The instruments of Armageddon or the US's Death Star.
I've heard that same label applied to Tommahawks, Standards, and Harpoons as well. It's an old navy joke, but still funny.
Aren't there at least 7 trident submarines on patrol all the time? That should give mooslims some serious pause. Especially that nutjob in Iran. I would tell him "do anything stupid and the first one goes down the well your 12th mahidi is in"!
About eight missiles from one sub with all of its warheads cranked up to full yield is about all that it would take to make Iran uninhabitable for about 50 years.
I believe we never tell others how many of our subs are on patrol. Seven of them can do some serious damage and win wars by themselves.
TY, great post.
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