US Navy ordered new guidance systems for Trident missiles

05.02.2010
US Navy tie up defense contract with Charles Stark Draper Laboratory to produce new guidance systems for sea-launched ballistic missiles Trident II D5 Mk.6, reports Defense Industry Daily. This contract is the part of program providing extension of service life of SLBM Trident to 2042.

Contract cost makes $131.1 mln. In addition, US Navy obliged to compensate Draper Lab any extra charges related to production of the new guidance systems. Under the terms of agreement, the American company will produce 20 Mk.6LE guidance units for Trident II missiles which are used at Ohio-class subs.

Implementation of Trident prolongation program is laid on Lockheed Martin. In Nov 2009 the company signed a contract with Alliant Techsystems (ATK) to deliver Trident II missile power plants. According to agreement, ATK will deliver new power plants right up to 2013.

In Oct 2009 US Navy carried out 129th successful test launch of Trident II. Missile test launches are performed to verify and prolong service life of in-service missiles. According to the U.S. plans, Trident II will be written off simultaneously with decommission of Ohio-class subs.

Three-stage ballistic missiles Trident II were designed by Lockheed Martin in 1989 and put into full production in 1990. Max flight range of Trident II makes 11,000 km. The missile can be equipped either with eight 475-kt nuclear warheads or fourteen 100-kt nuclear warheads.

Source: Lenta.Ru, photo: launch of Trident II (lockheedmartin.com)