US Navy Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Launched 3 Trident II D5 missiles in Test

: Posted On Friday, 18 March 2016 16:12

Naval Forces News - USA

US Navy Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Launched 3 Trident II D5 missiles in Test

On March 16, an Ohio class ballistic missile submarine assigned to Submarine Group 10, completed a Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test (FCET) with the launch of three Trident II D5 missiles.

A Trident II launch from a submerged submarine.
Picture: US Navy

Designated FCET-52, and spanning a three-day period, the operation marked the 158th, 159th, and 160th successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile. The primary objective of an FCET is to obtain, under operationally representative conditions, valid reliability, accuracy, and performance of the missile system for use by Commander, Strategic Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Safety of the public was paramount throughout the mission. The missiles were unarmed and all launches were conducted from the sea, flew over the sea, and landed in the sea. At no time did the missiles fly over land.

Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile components. (Lockheed Martin illustration)

A credible, effective nuclear deterrent is essential to our national security and the security of U.S. allies and friends. Strategic weapons tests, exercises and operations such as FCET-52 demonstrate the readiness of the submarine launched Trident II missile. As the most survivable leg of our strategic deterrent Triad, it provides the national command authority with assured second-strike capability.