3D-printed component on Trident missile

A 3D-printed missile component, a connector backshell, has flown on three of Lockheed Martin's Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missiles during US Navy testing, the company announced on 18 March.

The connector backshell is made of aluminium alloy, measures around an inch and protects cable connectors in the missile. Lockheed Martin used fully-digital processes to design and fabricate the connector backshell in half the time of traditional methods.

In the tests - part of a Follow-on Commander’s Evaluation Test of the Trident Strategic Weapon System - the navy launched the unarmed missiles in the Atlantic Ocean from a submerged submarine. The missiles were converted into test configurations using kits produced by Lockheed Martin that contain range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation. 

Eric Scherff, vice president of fleet ballistic missile programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, said: ‘These tests demonstrate the readiness and reliability of this crucial system that protects what matters most for the nation. The Trident strategic weapon system stands guard every minute of every day, thanks to the dedication and forward thinking of the US Navy program office, the submarine crews and the industry team.’

The Trident II D5 missile is deployed aboard US Navy Ohio-class and UK Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines to deter nuclear aggression. The three-stage ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies.