Trident (SLBM)
| Trident (SLBM) | |
|---|---|
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| General Information | |
| Type | Submarine-based ballistic missile |
| Local name | UGM-96A Trident I (C4) UGM-133A Trident II (D5) |
| Country of origin |
 United States
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| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| development |
UGM-96 : 1974 UGM-133 : 1983 |
| Commissioning |
UGM-96 : 1979 UGM-133 : 1990 |
| Working time |
UGM-96 : 1979-2005 UGM-133 : in service |
| Technical specifications | |
| length |
UGM-96 : 10.39 m UGM-133 : 13.58 m |
| diameter |
UGM-96 : 1880 mm UGM-133 : 2110 mm |
| Combat weight |
UGM-96 : 33,000 kg UGM-133 : 58,900 kg |
| Drive First stage Second stage Third stage |
Solid rocket engine Solid rocket engine Solid rocket engine |
| speed |
UGM-96 : unknown UGM-133 : 21,000 km / h |
| Range |
UGM-96 : 7,400 km UGM-133 : 11,300 km |
| Furnishing | |
| steering | INS and astronavigation |
| Warhead |
UGM-96 : 6-14 MIRV nuclear warheads of 100 kt each UGM-133 : 8-14 MIRV nuclear warheads of 475 kt each |
| Detonator | Programmed detonator |
| Weapon platforms | Submarines |
| Lists on the subject | |
Trident refers to a class of submarine -based ballistic intercontinental ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) from the United States . The missiles are named UGM-96 Trident I and UGM-133 Trident II .
development
As part of the ULMS (Undersea Long-Range Missile System) program, preparatory work for the development of the Trident I began in 1971. The aim of this program was to use a new submarine-supported ballistic missile based on the successfully introduced UGM-73 Poseidon to develop a wider range . The Trident I (C4) was intended to replace the Poseidon missiles on the Lafayette-class submarines . For this reason, it should have the same dimensions as the Poseidon. It should also be compatible with the launch system on future Ohio-class submarines . The Trident II (D5) was to be a much larger missile with a considerably increased range. Trident II was to be used on the future Ohio-class submarines. The development contract was awarded to Lockheed in 1974 . The first test launch of a Trident I took place in January 1977. The first test launch of a submarine took place in July 1979. The first Trident I was commissioned in 1979 on the USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN-657) . The first test launch of a Trident II took place in January 1987. The first test launch from a submarine took place in March 1989. With the installation of the first rockets on an Ohio class submarine, Initial Operating Capability was achieved in March 1990 .
As part of the so-called Polaris Sales Agreement, the United Kingdom contributed 2.5 billion US dollars to the development of the Trident II. From 1992, the Trident II was installed on the Vanguard-class submarines of the Royal Navy .
The modernization of the Trident-II-D-5, which was completed in 2015, is intended to ensure that the missiles will be operational by 2042. The main change here was the conversion to new avionics systems. The functionality of the modernized rockets was confirmed by two rocket launches on November 7th and 9th. The Trident is currently used on strategic submarines of the Ohio-class (USA) and Vanguard-class (GBR). Use on the successor classes of these types of ships is planned.
While the Trident I is classified as a second strike weapon , the more accurate Trident II is classified as a first strike weapon .
Missiles
The Trident missiles are three-stage solid- propelled missiles . The third stage is the re-entry body carrier (English Post Boost Vehicle ). The drive stages are attached one above the other and ignite one after the other. The missile bodies are made of weight-saving composite materials based on Kevlar . The rockets can be fired from the surface or from the submerged submarine. The rockets can be launched individually or in series. If the launch takes place under water, the rockets are fired from the launch silos using gas pressure. After a distance of around 10 m, the first stage of the rocket is ignited and the rocket moves towards the surface of the water. After penetrating the water surface, a so-called "aerospike" is deployed at the tip of the rocket. This reduces the air resistance at the tip of the rocket by around 50% when flying through the lower layers of the atmosphere. The control of the Trident missiles is carried out by means of various independently operating inertial navigation platforms . After launch, the Trident II rocket also receives position data from the NAVSTAR GPS . When the rockets have reached a higher trajectory, an optical astronavigation system is also used. After the first two drive stages have burned out (the boost phase), the third stage with the re-entry body carrier continues to rise on a ballistic curve . Then the ogival cladding of the missile tip is severed and the re-entry body carrier exposed. Now he can make the last changes in position. The MIRV re-entrant bodies are attached to the re-entrant carrier with explosive bolts and are launched from the carrier by a small charge of compressed gas. They are released onto their individual ballistic trajectories in a sequence in which the wearer carries out course corrections in between.
Trident I can carry up to 14 independent Mk 4 MIRV re-entry bodies. However, the Start I treaty limits the maximum number to 6 re-entry bodies. The Mk 4 re-entry bodies are equipped with a thermonuclear W76 warhead. This has an explosive power of 100 kt . The re-entry bodies achieve a precision ( CEP ) of 220–450 m (depending on the shooting distance).
Trident II can carry up to 14 independent Mk 5 MIRV re-entry bodies. However, the Start I treaty limits the maximum number to 8 re-entry bodies. The Mk 5 re-entry bodies are equipped with a thermonuclear W88 warhead. This has an explosive power of 475 kt. The re-entry bodies achieve a precision (CEP) of 90–120 m (depending on the shooting distance). The Trident II can also be equipped with the older Mk 4 re-entry bodies of the Trident I. The Mk 4 and Mk 5 re-entry bodies can be detonated in the air or on contact with the ground . The Trident II has the highest accuracy of any submarine-based US ICBM .
The British Trident II on the Vanguard class boats carry 1–3 Mk 4 MIRV re-entry bodies with an explosive force of 100 kt.
commitment
Trident I replaced the UGM-73 Poseidon on 12 Lafayette-class submarines . She was also stationed on the first Ohio-class submarines . In total, around 600 Trident I were produced at Lockheed. The maximum number of Trident I missiles stationed on submarines was 384 missiles in 1984. Their use was planned well into the early 21st century. It was completely replaced by the Trident II from 2005. By 1986, a total of 117 flight tests had been carried out and 222 missiles were fired. Accordingly, the Trident I had a start reliability of 85% (34 test starts failed). The last time the USS Ohio (SSGN-726) launched four missiles of this type was on December 9, 2001.
Trident II was introduced to the US Navy in 1990 and since 2008 the Ohio-class submarines have only carried the Trident II. Between 1989 and 2007, 425 missiles were manufactured under the original contract for the US Navy. 540 missiles were originally planned. Due to the extension of the Ohio class - SSBN- / SSGN to 45 years, an extension of the service time of the Trident II became necessary. Therefore, in 2007 the US Navy ordered 108 new Trident II D5LEs (LE - Life Extended) for a total value of 15 billion dollars. The first 12 missiles were delivered in 2008, the modernization was completed in 2015. The older missiles should be used up on test flights.
The most recent test flights of Trident II D5 missiles took place on November 7th and 9th, 2015. In both tests, a missile was launched from the USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) off the California coast as part of the Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASO). During the test flight on November 7, the Commander of the United States Strategic Command and members of the US Congress were present on the submarine. This test also caused quite a stir, as it produced a luminous phenomenon that was visible from afar in the night sky off the coast of California. The test flight on November 9th was the 157th successful mission of a Trident II D5 in a row.
The Trident II as a weapon of the "Global Strike"
The " Prompt Global Strike " strategy developed by the US armed forces as part of the Joint Vision 2020 military doctrine has for some time now also provided for the Trident-class SLBMs, originally developed exclusively as a nuclear weapon carrier, to be equipped with conventional warheads for precisely defined targets to be able to destroy quickly and precisely. In order not to come into conflict with international law , a proposal was made to the US Senate not to extend the Start I Treaty after 2009 (which was signed with the former Soviet Union in 1991 and entered into force in 1994).
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b designation-systems.net , accessed on February 3, 2014
- ↑ a b c designation-systems.net , accessed on February 3, 2014
- ↑ a b c d fas.org , accessed on February 3, 2014
- ↑ a b missilethreat.com ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ Trident nuclear missiles in use until 2042 . In: European Security & Technology 1/2016. P. 68.
- ↑ a b c Trident D-5 in the Encyclopedia Astronautica , accessed on February 3, 2014
- ↑ fas.org , accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ a b US Nuclear Forces 2009 (PDF)
- ↑ Trident II D5 - current developments at globalsecurity.org
- ↑ Sidney E. Dean: Look to America: Trident nuclear missiles in use until 2042 In: Europäische Sicherheit & Technik No. 1, 2016, p. 68.
- ^ Members of Congress, USSTRATCOM commander observe missile launch from ballistic missile submarine
- ↑ Between Panik, "#ufo" and "#comet" , orf.at, November 8, 2015; accessed November 8, 2015
