Below is a photograph comparing the Trident II D5 missile (on the left) with the earlier Trident I C4 missile. The unclassified specs for the Trident II D5 list a payload capacity of seven 300 kt MARV.
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 $37.2 billion.
I think 4000 miles is a lowball number. I read on the navy website that its more like 6000-7000 miles.
Can you hear me now?
Very Reagan-esk in the timing... and hence the message sent.
They have come a long ways since the Polaris A-3.
Patrick Henry kudos.
CNN (communist news network) had a piece early this a.m. (since pulled) that the tests were a failure. Wishful thinking from the MSM. What pukes!!!!
It would seem that our arsenal of democracy is still intact and working quite well actually....
I was talking with a submarine officer over a couple of drinks at the O club in Newport many years ago, and we got on the subject of submarine speed. He had just come off a tour on the Scamp, which was a Skipjack class sub and considered to be the fasted subs ever commissioned. I asked him what the top end of the sub was and he gave me the standard Navy answer, "The speed of the Scamp is in excess of 30 knots." Then he paused and said, "But our excess of 30 knotw was higher than any other sub in the Navy." Likewise the listed range of the D5 is in excess of 4000 miles. It's the size of the excess that is the secret.
The unclassified specs for the Trident II D5 list the range at 6000 nautical miles or 6,905 statute miles. I'm not sure where the 4000 miles figure came from, but it's wrong.
They might have been talking about the missile test in the pacific off the CG-class ship that did not go well.
My kung fu is stronger than yours.
Below is a photograph comparing the Trident II D5 missile (on the left) with the earlier Trident I C4 missile. The unclassified specs for the Trident II D5 list a payload capacity of seven 300 kt MARV.
One of my navy friends calls them the flying dildo's of doom. I kid you not. :)
And they hit their targets well.
Doesn't really matter if the sub is sitting five miles off the enemy's coast!
LOL!
Well,I guess if one is being aimed at you , your definitely F#$%#@
300 kt MARV
I know what MIRV means. What is/are MARV?
MARV is the acronym for Maneuvering Reentry Vehicle (see below for an explanation).
MARV
The maneuvering reentry vehicle (MARV) is one of the latest developments in nuclear weapons delivery systems. MARVs are designed either to deliver a nuclear warhead with pinpoint accuracy, or to enable the warhead to avoid enemy detection and destruction through evasive maneuvers.
MARVs are expected to have an accuracy of 36.6 m (120 ft) after a flight of 1,609 km (1,000 mi). MARVs designed for evasive maneuvers employ such techniques as small steering rockets, internal weight shifting, and movable flaps or fins.
Never worried about the weapons, only the will.
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