The US Navy has awarded an $850m contract modification to Lockheed Martin, supporting the continued development of the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) programme.
Lockheed Martin disclosed that the award was announced by the US Department of War in April this year.
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The Trident II D5 weapon system, part of the overall nuclear triad along with intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable bombers, is considered foundational to the US’ deterrence efforts.
First deployed in the 1980s and previously updated through a life extension that concluded in 2017, the system is undergoing further upgrades through the D5LE2 initiative.
This extension is intended to prolong the missiles’ operational effectiveness into the 2040s and beyond.
Representing about 70% of the nation’s strategic deterrent capability, the Navy’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles provide a survivable, continuously ready deterrent force.
The Trident II missiles are carried on Ohio-class submarines and, in the future, will equip the upcoming Columbia-class submarines, for which the D5LE2 variant is being developed.
Lockheed Martin’s Fleet Ballistic Missile Programme vice president Eric Scherff said: “Lockheed Martin is fully committed to the mission as we move forward into this next phase. This award marks another important step along the way as we continue delivering a credible and resilient deterrent for the American forces and allies.”
The contract comes after the US Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs carried out four scheduled missile test flights of unarmed Trident II D5LE missiles from an Ohio-class submarine off Florida’s east coast in September last year.
Earlier this year, the Navy also began constructing an engineering test facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to aid in the advancement of the D5LE2 system.
The contract also continues the Navy’s collaboration with Lockheed Martin for design and engineering work on the D5LE2 upgrade.
Work under the contract will take place in several states, including Colorado, Florida, Utah, Washington, Georgia, and sites within the National Capital Region.
Lockheed Martin has indicated plans to recruit engineers, technicians, and other professionals to deliver on contractual requirements.
In February last year, the US Navy issued a contract, valued at $383m under cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee terms, to Lockheed Martin as a modification to an existing agreement.
This modification tasks Lockheed Martin with advancing the development of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile.
