The U.S. Navy conducted a successful test launch this month of two Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBMs). 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 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.