US Navy has announced an extension of the operational lifespan of the Trident II missile until 2084

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has granted Lockheed Martin a contract modification worth $383 million to further advance the Trident II (D5) Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) program.

This agreement, revealed on January 31, allows Lockheed Martin to continue its efforts on the next generation of the U.S. Navy’s strategic deterrent system, which is designed to maintain its reliability until 2084.

The modification (P00004) to contract N0003024C0100, structured as a cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangement, provides funding for the advanced design and development of the Trident II (D5) Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Life Extension 2 program. The work will take place at various locations, including Denver, Colorado (55%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (8%); Magna, Utah (4%); Titusville, Florida (3%); and other sites across the United States, with an expected completion date of September 30, 2030.

Funding for the contract will come from Fiscal Year 2025 Navy weapons procurement funds amounting to $382.1 million, along with $1 million from the Navy’s Research, Development, Technical, and Engineering budget.

The Trident II D5 missile system is a fundamental element of the U.S. Navy’s sea-based nuclear deterrence strategy. Lockheed Martin’s Life Extension 2 program aims to enhance the missile’s capabilities to ensure its effectiveness on the upcoming COLUMBIA-class ballistic missile submarines.

The extension of the Trident D5 missile’s lifespan will allow the United States and the United Kingdom, through the Polaris Sales Agreement, to uphold a credible deterrent against emerging threats, stated Jerry Mamrol, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin. “We take pride in our ongoing vital collaboration with the U.S. Navy as we transition deterrence into this new era.”

The Trident II (D5) is currently in service on U.S. OHIO-class and U.K. VANGUARD-class submarines. Lockheed Martin has been a key supporter of the Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program for nearly seven decades, continuously developing and maintaining these systems to safeguard national and allied security.

Lockheed Martin is establishing a new 225,000-square-foot facility in Titusville, Florida, focused on producing components for the D5LE2 missile. This facility will enhance the company’s presence on Florida’s Space Coast and is expected to generate around 300 new jobs.

“Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is committed to investing in our aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors, creating high-skill, high-wage employment opportunities in the state,” remarked Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Strategic investments like this are vital for advancing Florida’s workforce, adding 300 new jobs, and fostering economic growth in local communities.”

The new facility is projected to be operational by 2027, in line with the Navy’s production timeline for the D5LE2 system. This investment highlights Lockheed Martin’s dedication to ensuring the sustainability of the Trident missile program while reinforcing America’s defense industrial base.