Trident (missile)

This article is about the Trident missile. For a discussion of the British nuclear weapons program, see Trident (UK nuclear programme).

Trident
Trident I first launch on 18 January 1977 at Cape Canaveral
Production history
ManufacturerLockheed Martin Space Systems
Specifications
Length13.41 m
Width2.11 m
Maximum speed Mach 19
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance by stellar sighting

The Trident missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). Originally developed by Lockheed Missiles and Space Corporation, the missile is armed with thermonuclear warheads and is launched from nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Trident missiles are carried by twelve[1] United States Navy Ohio-class submarines, with American warheads, as well as four Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines, with British warheads. The missile is named after the mythological trident of Neptune.[2]

  1. ^ "SSBN-SSGN Ohio Class Submarine". Naval Technology. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Trident II D-5". Atomic Archive. Archived from the original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2015.