UGM-73 Poseidon

UGM-73A Poseidon C3
A Poseidon missile lifts off after being launched from the submerged USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631) in May 1979
TypeStrategic SLBM
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service31 March 1971 to September 1992 (Trident I phased in from October 1979)
Used byUnited States Navy
Production history
ManufacturerLockheed Missiles Division
Specifications
Mass64,400 pounds (29,200 kg)
Length34.1 feet (10.4 m)
Diameter74 inches (1.9 m)
Warhead10 or 14 W68 warheads in Mark 3 RVs; 40 kilotonnes of TNT (170 TJ)[1]

EngineTwo-stage solid-fuel rocket, each single nozzle with thrust vectoring
Operational
range
With 14 RVs: 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km), with 10 RVs: 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km)
Maximum speed 8,000 mph (13,000 km/h) (terminal phase)
Guidance
system
Inertial
Accuracy0.3 nautical miles (560 m) CEP

The UGM-73 Poseidon missile was the second US Navy nuclear-armed submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) system, powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket. It succeeded the UGM-27 Polaris beginning in 1972, bringing major advances in warheads and accuracy. It was followed by Trident I in 1979, and Trident II in 1990.

  1. ^ Minutes of National Security Council Meeting (Report). Parity, Safeguard, and the SS–9 Controversy. Washington DC. 1969-05-05. p. 119.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference missilethreat was invoked but never defined (see the help page).