The U.S. Navy announced the test launch of unarmed Trident II missiles from the USS Nebraska on Friday.
Two launches occurred on Wednesday, and two on Friday, off the coast of Southern California. The tests from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine were part of a Commander Evaluation Test to validate performance expectations of the Trident II strategic weapon system.
The launches are the latest in 176 successful flights of the Trident II strategic weapon system. The tests are conducted on a recurring, scheduled basis and were not in response to any world events, the Navy said in a statement.
Trident missiles, built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, have been deployed with the American and British navies since 1990. They are regarded as improvements, in accuracy, payload, and range, over the earlier Trident C-4, and are a key element of U.S. strategic deterrence.
Originally intended to be phased out by 2024, the system recent underwent a life-extending program that will keep the missiles operational through the 2040s.
The tests this week come as the Navy attempts to use more events, live and virtual, into training to prepare ships' crews to defeat potential threats. Navy commands in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are working to expose surface forces to more complex and challenging training as the Navy pushes the fleet to build its warfighting skills.
"Our nation's sea-based deterrent has been a critical component of our national security since the 1960s, and this week's launches continue to demonstrate the credibility and reliability of our life-extended missiles," said Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe, director of the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, said in a Navy statement regarding this week's tests.
Maintenance completed on submarine USS Connecticut
Washington (UPI) Sep 6, 2019 - Maintenance work on the submarine USS Connecticut was completed this week, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard announced.
The vessel entered dry dock on Mar. 26 and left it on Aug. 10 after its period of maintenance and modernization, formally known as a docking continuous maintenance availability.
Finishing touches were added Thursday, when the submarine was ready for release. Shipyard personnel invested over 30,200 man-days in the project, officials said.
"Maintaining and modernizing warships and returning them to active service is what we're all about, so this is yet another important milestone for our shipyard," said Capt. Dianna Wolfson, commander of PSNS.
The USS Connecticut, commissioned in 1998, is a Seawolf-class, nuclear-powered fast attack submarine. In 2003, it surfaced through ice in the Arctic Ocean near Alaska, where it notably came under attack by a polar bear. The bear gnawed on the vessel's rudder before leaving.
Following a six-month deployment in 2007, it was transferred to its new home port of Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton Wash., the last of the Navy's three Seawolf-class submarines to arrive and join the Pacific fleet.
"Our team, which includes PSNS and IMF [Intermediate Maintenance Facility] employees, ship's force and contractors, did a tough job very well, and I couldn't be more proud of their efforts to send Connecticut back to the fleet in tip-top shape, ready for whatever the nation requires of it," Wolfson said.
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Boeing withdraws from Pentagon nuclear missile program over bidding process
Washington DC (Sputnik) Jul 26, 2019
On Wednesday, American aerospace company Boeing announced its withdrawal from the Pentagon's Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) project, citing concern with the bidding process. "After numerous attempts to resolve concerns within the procurement process, Boeing has informed the Air Force that it will not bid Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) under the current acquisition approach," said Todd Blecher, a spokesperson for Boeing's defense, sp ... read more
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