Article Posted on : - Jun 23, 2010

Lockheed Martin-Built Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles. A Lockheed Martin photo

SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA (BNS): The US Navy recently conducted test flights of four unarmed Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBMs) from the submerged submarine USS Maryland (SSBN 738) in the Atlantic Ocean.

The test launch carried out on June 8 and 9 marked the 131st, 132nd, 133rd and 134th consecutive successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile since 1989, a Lockheed Martin statement said.

The Navy launched the missiles as part of a Follow-on Commander’s Evaluation Test.

Each missile was converted into a test configuration using a test missile kit produced by Lockheed Martin that contains range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.

First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard OHIO-class submarines and British VANGUARD-class submarines.

The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company has been the strategic missile prime contractor for the US Navy Strategic Systems Programs since the inception of the Fleet Ballistic Missile program more than 50 years ago.