Lockheed Martin has secured a $383-million contract modification to develop a next-generation Trident II Strategic Weapons System D5 missile for the US Navy.
Designed to be operational through 2084, the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) is expected to arm the navy’s incoming Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, which will replace the aging Ohio-class vessels.
Company VP of Fleet Ballistic Missiles Jerry Mamrol highlighted that the missile’s second life extension will continue to maintain the sea-based strategic deterrent capabilities of the US and UK.
Production Facility
To further support this endeavor, the US defense manufacturer is constructing an approximately 225,000-square-foot (20,903 square meters) facility in Titusville, Florida.
It will be utilized to produce D5LE2 missile components and is anticipated to begin operations by 2027.
“Under Governor Ron DeSantis‘ leadership, Florida continues to invest in our aerospace and aviation, and military and defense industries — bringing high-skill, high-wage jobs to the state,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly.
“Strategic investments like this continue to propel Florida’s workforce, adding 300 new jobs and bringing economic success to Florida communities.”
Trident II D5 Missile
The D5 missiles are deployed aboard the US Navy’s Ohio-class submarines and the UK’s Vanguard-class submarines under the Polaris Sales Agreement.
Each missile measures 44 feet (13 meters) long, weighs 130,000 pounds (58,967 kilograms), and has a diameter of 83 inches (2 meters).
The submarine-launched ballistic missiles are powered by a three-stage solid-propellant rocket and are equipped with an inertial guidance system.
They carry nuclear warheads fitted with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles and have an operational range of 4,000 nautical miles (4,603 miles/7,408 kilometers).
