U.S. Navy Conducts 95th
Straight Successful Test Launch of TRIDENT II (D5) Missile Built by
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Operations
SUNNYVALE, CA, March 18th, 2002 -- The U.S. Navy has successfully test
fired a TRIDENT II (D5) Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM), built by Lockheed
Martin Space Systems--Missiles & Space Operations, a business area of
Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT]. The missile, launched over the
weekend from the strategic submarine USS ALASKA (SSBN 732) at the Eastern
Range off the eastern Florida coast, extends the D5's record to 95
consecutive successful test launches. The latest test launch was the final
activity of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) exercise
conducted by the blue crew of the USS ALASKA (SSBN 732). The DASO's
purpose is to collect system performance data in an operational
environment and evaluate the readiness of the weapon system, crew and
submarine for operational patrol.
This was the first of four launches scheduled over the coming years as
part of the Navy program to convert four TRIDENT Ohio-class fleet
ballistic missile submarines currently homeported at the Navy strategic
submarine base in Bangor, Wash., to TRIDENT II (D5) capability. The four
submarines are the USS ALASKA (SSBN-732), USS NEVADA (SSBN-733), USS HENRY
M. JACKSON (SSBN-730), and USS ALABAMA (SSBN-731). These submarines
previously carried the older TRIDENT I (C4) missiles.
"We are extremely proud of the perfect performance record of the
TRIDENT II (D5) missile system," said Tom Morton, vice president of
Strategic Missile Programs at Missiles & Space Operations in
Sunnyvale. "Achieving 95 consecutive successful test launches is truly a
remarkable feat. We also would like to congratulate the crew of the USS
ALASKA for completing a successful DASO."
The USS ALASKA entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in April 2000
to begin her conversion to D5 capability. Following the DASO launch, the
ALASKA will return to the shipyard for a three-month Post-Shakedown
Availability (PSA) period to correct problems and deficiencies discovered
during the DASO. The ALASKA will then re-deploy in the Pacific Ocean early
this summer.
TRIDENT II (D5) is a three-stage, solid propellant, inertial-guided
submarine-launched ballistic missile. It is 44.5 ft in length, 83 inches
in diameter, weighs 130,000 lbs., has a range greater than 4,000 nautical
miles, and carries up to eight Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles
(MIRVs).
TRIDENT II (D5), the sixth generation of FBMs developed by Lockheed
Martin for the U.S. Navy, is presently deployed only in the Atlantic
Ocean.
Recently, the Navy awarded Lockheed Martin the first of several
contracts to extend the service life of the TRIDENT II (D5) missile system
from 30 to 44 years to match the extended life of the TRIDENT Ohio-class
submarine. The D5 service life extension program will extend D5 missile
production through 2013. The program is expected to make the D5 missile
system operationally viable to 2042.
The Navy selected Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space as its prime
missile systems contractor in 1955. Since then, the FBM team has produced
six successive generations of Fleet Ballistic Missiles: POLARIS (A1),
POLARIS (A2), POLARIS (A3), POSEIDON (C3), TRIDENT I (C4) and the TRIDENT
II (D5).
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, headquartered in Denver, Colo.,
is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space
Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of
advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers.
Chief products include space launch and ground systems, remote sensing and
communications satellites for commercial and government customers,
advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet
ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.
Steve Tatum (408) 742-7531
Pager (888)
926-2912
stephen.o.tatum@lmco.com |
