The US Navy has conducted four scheduled test flights of unarmed Trident II D5LE missiles from an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine off the east coast of Florida.
As disclosed, the trials, carried out from September 17-21, were part of a planned test event and resulted in the achievement of 197 total successful missile flight test launches of the Trident II D5 strategic weapon system. The test flights were launched from a submerged SSBN and landed in a broad ocean area of the Atlantic Ocean.
As part of standard safety requirements, Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) were issued identifying no-fly zones and Notice to Mariners (NOTMARs) were issued to sea-going vessels identifying stay-out areas for the pre-scheduled test period.
“Our Nation’s submarine launched ballistic missile system has been a critical component of our national security since the 1960s, and these launches continue to demonstrate the credibility and reliability of our strategic deterrence capabilities,” said Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe , Director of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs, the command responsible for the Navy’s strategic weapons.
“The team is also pushing ahead developing the next generation strategic weapon system to ensure the sea-based deterrence capability of tomorrow.”
The Trident II D5 missile, developed in the 1980s, has been a significant component of the US Navy’s strategic deterrence capabilities. To address aging components and ensure continued reliability, the Navy initiated the Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE) program, which was completed in 2017. This program involved substantial upgrades to the missile’s electronics and propulsion systems, extending its service life into the 2040s.
The D5LE missile is a three-stage, solid-fuel, inertially-guided submarine-launched ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 nautical miles. It is deployed aboard Ohio-class submarines and is capable of carrying multiple W76-Mk4/Mk4A or W88-Mk5 reentry bodies. The missile’s guidance system has been modernized to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Since the completion of the D5LE program, the navy has conducted numerous successful test flights to validate the missile’s performance. For instance, in September 2023, the USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) successfully launched a D5LE missile off the coast of San Diego, marking the 191st successful launch of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE) strategic weapon system since its introduction in 1989.