| Country: |
United States of America |
| Alternate Name: |
UGM-133 |
| Class: |
SLBM |
| Basing: |
Submarine launched |
| Length: |
13.42 m |
| Diameter: |
2.11 m |
| Launch Weight: |
59090 kg |
| Payload: |
8 MIRV Mk 4 or Mk 5 RVs |
| Warhead: |
Nuclear W76 100 kT or W88 475 kT |
| Propulsion: |
3-stage solid |
| Range: |
12000 km |
| Status: |
Operational |
| In Service: |
1990 |
Details
The UGM-133 Trident D-5 is an intercontinental-range, submarine-launched, solid-propellant ballistic missile. It represents the most modern submarine-launched ballistic missile outside of the experimental Russian SS-NX-30. It makes up the entirety of US submarine-based nuclear deterrent and a key part of the US nuclear deterrent force. It is the first US submarine-based missile to have a capability against hardened targets. The life span of the missile has been extended to 42 years, until the next-generation Trident E-6 enters service in 2030. The Trident D-5 missile is currently used by both the United Kingdom and the United States on their respective Vanguard- and Ohio-class submarines. The primary contractor behind the development of the D-5 was Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Missile and Space Operations.
The Trident D-5 is a strategic system designed to strengthen and secure the US nuclear force. It has the capability to destroy hardened targets, as well as being highly effective against civilian population centers. The use of Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) warheads enables the Trident D-5 to destroy a large number of silo-based missiles in a first strike. However, the Russian and Communist Chinese reliance on mobile systems makes any such attack futile. For this reason, it is likely the targeting follows official US doctrine of retaliation strikes following a nuclear attack. The submarines carrying the Trident D-5 missile have sufficient range to attack from the safety of US territorial waters, as well as being numerous and nearly impossible to find while deployed. The combination of countermeasures and multiple warheads would overwhelm enemy missile defense, striking many vital population centers.
The Trident D-5 has a maximum range of 12,000 km (7,456 miles), similar to that of silo-based systems, and has a payload as large as 2,800 kg. Its payload carries a Post-Boost Vehicle (PBV) which can carry 8 to 12 Reentry Vehicles (RVs), though the first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) limits the number to eight. These RVs can either be the Mk 4 with a W76 100 kT yield warhead or the Mk 5, which has a W88 475 kT yield warhead. The missile is almost certainly equipped with countermeasures. The system uses an inertial navigation system combined with a stellar reference system that provides an extremely high accuracy of 90 m CEP. The missile has a length of 13.42 m, a width of 2.11 m, and a launch weight of 59,090 kg. It uses a three-stage solid propellant engine.
There are extensive improvement programs for the Trident D-5. More accurate Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems have been tested on Trident missiles since 1993, and an earth penetrator version was considered in 1994 to attack underground facilities. Improved air-burst fuses were considered for the Mk 4 RV in 1998. New third-stage propellant motors were developed and tested and will likely be included in future versions. An extensive upgrade is planned in 2020 for 300 missiles, to upgrade them to the Trident D-5A version with improved capabilities and an extended service life.
The UGM-133 Trident D-5 entered service in the US Navy in 1990. The first test launch occurred in January 1987 from a launch pad, with the first naval trial, a failure, occurring in March 1989. The D-5 was originally intended to serve on all of the planned 24 Ohio-class submarines, but this number was decreased to the current 14 of the 18 submarines actually produced. Currently ten of the Ohio submarines carry the D-5, with another four intended to be refitted to the D-5 by 2008. A total of 453 missiles are planned to be built, with 395 missiles and 1,920 RVs built by 2002. A total of 300 Trident D-5 missiles are expected to be converted to the extended life D-5A, which will remain in service until 2042.
The Trident D-5 is also in service in the UK on four Vanguard-class missile submarines. The submarines each carry 16 purchased US missiles, though they are equipped with UK warheads believed to be similar to the W76 100 kT US warheads. An unknown number of the missiles are planned on being deployed for non-strategic roles with 10 kT warheads. A 1999 UK statement limited the number of warheads to be deployed on each submarine to 48, an average of 3 warheads.(1)
Footnotes
- Duncan Lennox, Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems 46 (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2007), 204-206.
Trident II D5 Achieves Record 120 Successful Test Launches In A Row
November 30, 2007 :: Spacewar.com :: News
On November 30, the U.S. Navy successfully test launched a Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile from a submarine in the Pacific Ocean, the U.S.S. Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730). The latest test marks the 120th consecutive successful test launch since 1989 giving the Trident the best record of any large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided missile is currently aboard 12 U.S. Trident II Ohio-class submarines and four U.K. Trident II Vanguard-class submarines. It has a range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.
Lockheed Martin, which produces the missile, was awarded a major contract to continue producing the Trident II D5 on November 26. (Article, Link)
» Lockheed Martin wins $849 million missile contract
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile details: Trident D-5
U.S. Test Launches Two Trident-2 SLBMs
December 7, 2006 :: Lockheed Martin :: News
The U.S. Navy today successfully test-fired two Trident-2 D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles from the Eastern Range in the Atlantic Ocean. The unarmed missiles were launched from the nuclear-powered U.S.S. Maryland (SSBN 738). The routine test, which was designed to confirm the reliability and readiness of U.S. strategic forces, marked the 117th consecutive successful test launch of the Trident-2 since 1989, a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. The Trident-2 D5 has a range of 12,000 km, carries 8 to 12 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRVs), and constitutes the mainstay of the U.S. submarine-based nuclear deterrent. It is currently deployed aboard 12 Ohio-class submarines, each of which carries 24 missiles. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile details: Trident D-5
