Two D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles Launched in Navy Test in the Pacific SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 21
SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy conducted a
successful test launch this month of two Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic
Missiles (FBMs) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). The Navy launched the
unarmed missiles from the submerged submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) in the
Pacific Ocean.
The Trident II D5 missile now has achieved 122 consecutive successful test
launches since 1989 -- a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile
or space launch vehicle.
"The exceptional partnership with our Navy Strategic Systems Programs
customer accounts for the unmatched record of success of the D5 missile," said
Melanie A. Sloane, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs,
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Navy's Trident missile prime
contractor. "Disciplined performance by the entire Navy and industry team
helps to ensure the reliability and credibility of the Fleet Ballistic Missile
as demonstrated in test after test."
The Navy launched the missiles as part of a Follow-on Commander Evaluation
Test. The Navy conducts a continuing series of operational system evaluation
tests to assure the safety, reliability, readiness and performance of the
Trident II D5 Strategic Weapon System, as required by the Department of
Defense's National Command Authority. The tests are conducted under the
testing guidelines of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
For the tests, operational missiles are converted into inert
configurations using test missile kits produced by Lockheed Martin that
contain range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.
First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard Trident II
Ohio-class submarines and British Trident II Vanguard-class submarines. The
three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a
nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently
targeted reentry vehicles.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime
contractor and program manager for the U.S. Navy's Trident missile. Lockheed
Martin Space Systems employees, principally in California, Georgia, Florida,
Washington and Utah, support the design, development, production, test and
operation of the Trident strategic weapon system. Lockheed Martin Space
Systems has been the Navy's prime strategic missile contractor since the
inception of the program more than 50 years ago.
The test also involved the Lockheed Martin-integrated Navigation Subsystem
that provides the highly-accurate and reliable navigation data required to
support today's stringent Trident Weapon System performance requirements.
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors Undersea Systems business unit,
Mitchel Field, N.Y., has been the Navy's prime contractor for the Navigation
Subsystem aboard FBM submarines since 1955.
Altogether, nearly 3,000 employees throughout the Lockheed Martin
Corporation support the Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile program.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9
billion.
Media Contacts:
Lynn Fisher, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, 408-742-7606;
lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com
Jack Papp, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors, 703-367-2484;
jack.papp@lmco.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
