Pentagon Awards $3.38B Trident II SLBM Deals

The Pentagon has announced contracts totaling $3.38 billion to Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and Lockheed Martin for Trident II (Trident D5) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).

Charles Stark Draper Laboratory received a $2.18 billion contract for technical and engineering support, maintaining the Trident II Strategic Weapon System Mark 6 Guidance Subsystem, supporting research and development for the Mark 7 Guidance Subsystem, Columbia/Dreadnought ship integration, and reentry subsystem. This contract also benefits the United Kingdom and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2028.

Lockheed Martin secured $1.2 billion for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support, also benefiting the United Kingdom.

The Trident II was developed by the United States for its Navy's Ohio-class and British Royal Navy's Vanguard-class submarines. Introduced in the 1990s, it remains a vital component of the nuclear deterrent strategy. Its key specs include a range of over 7,500 miles (12,000km), the ability to carry multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles (MIRVs), and high-speed, stealthy features for second-strike capabilities. Equipped with advanced guidance systems, it ensures precise delivery of nuclear warheads.