Article Posted on : - Dec 29, 2009

Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM). Image Credit: Lockheed Martin.

CALIFORNIA (BNS): Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) recently achieved its successful 130th test-flight conducted by the US Navy.

The US Navy launched the ballistic missile from submarine USS ALASKA in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to a news report by the PR Newswire, US Navy launched the Trident II D5 missile as part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) to certify submarine USS ALASKA for deployment.

The missile, developed by Lockheed Martin, has now undergone 130 consecutive successful trials setting up a record of test launches.

Trident II D-5 is the latest version of the missile which is more advanced in terms of technology and has greater payload capability making it a potent weapon system.

Trident II D5 is US Navy's submarine-launched FBM. The missile, being evaluated since 1989, has a nominal range of 4000 nautical miles and it can carry multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles.

The US Navy began deploying Trident II D-5 in 1990s. It is carried by Ohio class submarines and British Vanguard class submarines.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems has developed and produced the missile including the support equipment.