Lockheed Martin has received $474 million to manufacture and support Trident II (D5) ballistic missiles with a range of 11,300km and up to 475 kilotons nuclear warheads
The US Department of Defence has allocated additional funding for the production and support of Trident II (D5) missiles. This was officially announced on the Pentagon website.
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Lockheed Martin has received more than $474 million to produce new and support already deployed ballistic missiles for the Trident system's strategic missile cruisers. 62.9 per cent of the work will take place at Lockheed Martin's Utah plant. The company will also conduct contract work at facilities in Arkansas, Illinois, Colorado, Maryland, Maine, California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Missouri. The contract must be completed by September 30, 2027.
In addition, the Pentagon has allocated $44 million to General Dynamics. It will support the fire control systems of strategic missile cruisers, which are carriers of Trident II (D5) ballistic missiles. This refers to the US Navy's Ohio-class submarines and the UK Royal Navy's Vanguard-class submarines. The work under the contract is due to be completed by 30 April 2025.
The Trident II (D5) is a fourth-generation ballistic missile for nuclear-powered submarines. It can carry individual targeting units with thermonuclear warheads of 100 and 475 kilotons.
The Trident II (D5) is 13.42 metres long and 2.11 metres in diameter. The maximum launch range with a full load is 7800 km. Using a reduced number of units, the missile can destroy targets at a distance of 11,300 km.