Lockheed Martin has recently secured two significant contracts from the US Navy, worth a combined $3.3 billion, to advance its work on the Trident II D5 missile program. This missile system plays a critical role in the US and UK nuclear deterrence strategy, serving as the backbone of the strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) arsenal. The Trident II D5 is an upgraded version of the original Trident missile, first deployed in the 1990s, but remains a cornerstone of modern defense.
The first contract, valued at $2.11 billion, has been awarded to Lockheed’s Space division for the continued production and maintenance of the Trident II D5 missile. This includes vital support for deployed systems as well as work on the Warhead 93/Mark7 development. This warhead is designed to replace the aging nuclear warheads currently in service, ensuring that the US Navy’s strategic capabilities remain robust and effective in the face of evolving threats. The Navy has earmarked $143.5 million from its fiscal 2024 weapons budget to support this effort.
Lockheed’s work on the Trident II missile will primarily take place in Colorado, which will handle 24 percent of the work, and Pennsylvania, responsible for 19.3 percent. Other locations across the US will also contribute to the project, with completion expected by September 30, 2029. This contract underscores the importance of maintaining and upgrading the missile system, ensuring that the United States remains ready to respond to any strategic challenges in the future.
The second contract, valued at $1.17 billion, has been awarded to Lockheed’s Rotary and Mission Systems Division. This portion of the deal is aimed at providing critical fleet support for the Trident system, which includes shipboard integration for the Trident II. Additionally, the company will focus on the development of the navigation subsystem, an essential component of ensuring the missile's accuracy and reliability during deployment. Much of this work will take place at Mitchel Field, New York, with other contributions from facilities in California and other US locations. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by September 29, 2031.
These contracts also include foreign military sales to the United Kingdom, reinforcing the deep defense cooperation between the two nations. Last year, Lockheed Martin secured a similar contract worth $1.2 billion to produce Trident II missiles for both the US and UK, further highlighting the importance of this missile system to both nations' strategic defense plans.
The Trident II D5 missile is known for its accuracy and range, capable of delivering multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), which can carry several nuclear warheads. The missile has a range of over 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometers) and is launched from Ohio-class submarines in the US and Vanguard-class submarines in the UK. The ongoing upgrades to the system are designed to extend its service life, ensuring that the Trident II remains a formidable component of the US and UK’s nuclear deterrence strategy well into the 21st century.
Lockheed Martin’s ongoing involvement in the Trident II D5 program demonstrates the company’s vital role in supporting global security through advanced missile technology. With the completion dates set well into the next decade, Lockheed is poised to ensure the missile system remains cutting-edge, capable of responding to modern threats while providing strategic stability.
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