On September 27, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and the U.S. Navy achieved another milestone in strategic defense with the successful launch of an unarmed Trident II D5 Life Extension Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM). The launch, part of Demonstration and Shakedown Operation-32 (DASO-32), took place off the coast of California from the USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) in the Pacific Ocean.
This historic test brings the Trident II D5’s record to 191 successful launches since its design was completed in 1989, solidifying its reputation as the most reliable large ballistic missile in existence. The Navy used this event to assess the readiness of both the crew and the submarine’s strategic weapon system while also certifying the USS Louisiana’s crew for strategic patrols. It was the final planned DASO event following an engineer refueling overhaul of an OHIO-class submarine.
Lockheed Martin, which supplied the test missile kit used in the event, has been a vital partner to the U.S. Navy for nearly seven decades. Jerry Mamrol, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the importance of this partnership:
“We are proud of Lockheed Martin’s nearly seven decades of partnership with the U.S. Navy to develop advanced weapon capabilities to deter threats to our nation and allies,” Mamrol stated. He added that Lockheed Martin is already gearing up for the COLUMBIA-class submarines, the next generation of sea-based strategic deterrence.
The Trident II D5 Missile: An Unmatched Strategic Asset
The Trident II D5, originally developed by Lockheed Martin, is considered the most advanced ballistic missile in the world. The three-stage, solid-propellant missile is equipped with inertial guidance and can travel up to 4,000 nautical miles, carrying multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles. It currently serves aboard U.S. OHIO-class and UK VANGUARD-class submarines.
The D5 Life Extension (D5LE) program, introduced in 2017, modernized the missile’s technology, ensuring it remains a critical component of U.S. strategic defense well into the future—at a fraction of the cost of designing a new missile from scratch.
Lockheed Martin’s Enduring Legacy
As the prime contractor for the Navy’s ballistic missile systems, Lockheed Martin’s legacy stretches back to the Polaris and Poseidon programs, leading up to today’s Trident system. The Trident II D5 will continue to serve as a cornerstone of the U.S. Nuclear Triad, providing critical seaborne deterrence capabilities for decades to come.
This latest successful launch underscores Lockheed Martin’s unwavering commitment to supporting the U.S. Navy’s strategic objectives and ensuring global stability through cutting-edge defense technologies.
