The US Navy fleet ballistic missile submarine, USS Nevada (SSBN 733), has successfully launched a test missile, Trident II D5, off the coast of southern California, US, as part of the post-refuelling overhaul certification process.

The unarmed missile was launched as a single mission test to certify the readiness of the crew and the operational performance of its strategic weapons system prior to returning it to operational availability.

Nevada’s Blue Crew commanding officer Commander Alan Schrader said the test launch was conducted after an extensive maintenance period of the submarine.

“It was the final event of a three-and-a-half-year refuelling overhaul,” he added.

USS Nevada is the eighth Ohio Class fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), whose design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls.