US Navy submarine USS Nebraska has carried out flight testing of unarmed Trident II (D5) missiles.
The firings were carried out from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine off the coast of Southern California between 4-6 September.
The testing was part of a Commander Evaluation Test (CET) to validate performance expectations of the life-extended Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system.
The Trident II (D5) has now carried out 176 successful flights. CETs and other flight tests are conducted on a recurring, scheduled basis to evaluate and ensure the continued reliability and accuracy of the system.
The Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system, originally designed with a life span to 2024, recently underwent a life extension to address potential ageing and obsolescence issues and keep it operational through the late 2040s.
The life-extended missiles will serve for the remaining service life of US Ohio-class and UK Vanguard-class SSBNs, and as the initial loadout for the US Columbia-class and UK Dreadnought-class SSBNs.
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.
Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.
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