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Lockheed Martin Strengthens US-UK Nuclear Deterrence Until 2084 with Trident II D5LE2.
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $383 million contract by the U.S. Navy to develop a modernized version of the Trident II nuclear ballistic missile, designated Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2). This program aims to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of the strategic deterrence system deployed aboard ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) through 2084. The missile remains a key component of the deterrence posture of both the United States and the United Kingdom, which cooperate in this field under the Polaris Sales Agreement.
The D5LE2 modernization seeks to extend its operational lifespan while maintaining performance in response to evolving threats (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)
The Trident II D5 is currently in service on U.S. Ohio-class and British Vanguard-class submarines. Designed and developed by Lockheed Martin, this submarine-launched ballistic missile has a range exceeding 12,000 km and is capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). Until now, Trident II missiles have been equipped with W76 and W88 nuclear warheads, but their service life, exceeding 25 years, has raised concerns regarding reliability and safety.
The D5LE2 modernization seeks to extend their operational lifespan while maintaining performance in response to evolving threats. The upgrade includes improvements to the missile’s guidance and propulsion systems. With its three-stage solid-fuel propulsion, the Trident II D5 achieves rapid acceleration and a trajectory designed to evade interception. Its inertial guidance system, enhanced with electronic upgrades, contributes to increased accuracy.
The Trident II has also been considered for conventional applications under the Prompt Global Strike program, which aimed to provide the United States with a rapid, non-nuclear strike capability. This initiative sought to equip certain Trident missiles with modified reentry vehicles featuring GPS navigation and trajectory correction systems, enabling an impact precision of approximately ten meters.
However, the proposal generated significant international debate, with concerns that such a launch could be mistaken for a nuclear attack, potentially triggering an unintended response. The program was ultimately discontinued, but in 2018, the U.S. administration approved the production of the W76-2, a low-yield warhead specifically designed for Trident missiles. Its deployment was officially confirmed in 2020, with initial operational integration aboard USS Tennessee.
To support the production and integration of D5LE2 components, Lockheed Martin has initiated the construction of a new production facility in Titusville, Florida. Covering approximately 21,000 square meters, the site will expand the company's presence on the Space Coast, a key aerospace industry hub. Scheduled to be operational by 2027, the facility is expected to create approximately 300 high-skilled jobs. Florida state authorities, represented by Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, have emphasized the economic significance of this investment in strengthening the region’s defense and aerospace industries.
This contract is part of a broader effort to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin Space a $2.1 billion contract for the production and sustainment of Trident II D5 missiles, as well as the development of new W93 nuclear warheads and their Mk7 reentry vehicles. These warheads, currently under development at Los Alamos National Laboratory, mark the first new U.S. nuclear weapons production initiative in 40 years.
These programs reflect the ongoing commitment of the United States and the United Kingdom to maintaining technological and strategic capabilities in nuclear deterrence. Lockheed Martin, which this year marks 70 years of collaboration with the U.S. Navy under the Fleet Ballistic Missiles program, continues to play a central role in the evolution of strategic missile systems. With the Trident II D5LE2, both nations are ensuring the continued credibility and effectiveness of their deterrence posture in the decades ahead.