Lockheed Martin announced on 31 January that the US Navy has awarded the company a USD 383 million cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to the existing Lockheed Martin contract for development of the next generation of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile to continue the United States’ sea-based strategic deterrence.
Lockheed Martin will undertake the design of the enhanced missile, designated the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2), as part of this contract modification. This modernized and integrated missile will be deployed on the US Navy’s Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, thereby ensuring the continued credibility of the strategic weapon system until 2084.
The D5 missile, developed and upgraded by Lockheed Martin stands as the most sophisticated ballistic missile globally and is presently deployed on US Navy Ohio-class and Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines. This year, Lockheed Martin will celebrate 70 years of the development and maintenance of these submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which serve as the foundation of sea-based deterrence strategy through the company’s Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBM) programme.
“The second life extension of the Trident D5 missile will enable the United States and United Kingdom, through the Polaris Sales Agreement, to maintain credibility deterring evolving threats,” said Jerry Mamrol, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin. “We are proud to continue our critical partnership with the U.S. Navy to take deterrence into this new era.”
Lockheed Martin is initiating the construction of a new facility spanning approximately 225,000 square feet in Titusville, Florida, dedicated to the production of components for the D5LE2 submarine-launched ballistic missile. This development will enhance Lockheed Martin’s footprint in Florida’s Space Coast and is projected to create around 300 highly-skilled employment opportunities. The facility is expected to commence operations in 2027, aligning with the Navy’s production requirements and providing support for the next six decades.
“Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to invest in our aerospace and aviation, and military and defense industries – bringing high-skill, high-wage jobs to the state,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Strategic investments like this continue to propel Florida’s workforce, adding 300 new jobs and bringing economic success to Florida communities.”