Lockheed Martin secures $2.1 Billion contract for Trident II D5 ballistic missiles and development warhead

Lockheed Martin Corp. has received a $2.1 billion contract to produce additional UGM-133A Trident II D5 nuclear ballistic missiles launched from submarines and support the D5 weapons already deployed for the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. Production also includes the development of the 93/Mark 7 nuclear warhead, intended to replace the W76 and W88 warheads on Columbia-class submarines from 2034. This warhead, designed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory, shares components with a new UK version. The Trident II missile, operational since 1990, is the main nuclear ballistic weapon launched by U.S. Navy submarines, with an autonomy of between 4,000 and 7,000 miles and a celestial inertial guidance system. The U.S. Navy operates 14 Ohio-class submarines armed with Trident IIs, while the Columbia class and the British Dreadnought will replace the Ohio and Vanguard submarines in 2029.