Lockheed Martin has secured a $383 million contract modification to develop the 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 US navy’s incoming Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, which will replace the ageing 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.

To further support this endeavour, the manufacturer is constructing an approximately 20,903-square-meter facility in Titusville, Florida. It will be utilised to produce D5LE2 missile components and is anticipated to begin operations by 2027.

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 13 meters long, weighs 58,967 kg, and has a diameter of 2 meters.

The submarine-launched ballistic missiles are powered by a three-stage solid-propellant rocket and are equipped with an inertial guidance system.

Last, these carry nuclear warheads fitted with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, while they have an operational range of 7,408 km.

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