New Lockheed Martin facility in Florida to support Trident II D5 missile production

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $383 million contract modification by the US Navy to support the development of the next generation of the Trident II D5 Strategic Weapons System (SWS).

This funding ensures the continued capability of the nation’s sea-based strategic deterrence.

The contract modification will focus on the design and development of the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) missile, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreing media.

The upgraded missile will be integrated into the US Navy’s COLUMBIA-class ballistic missile submarines, ensuring that the strategic weapon system remains viable and credible through 2084.

Jerry Mamrol, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Fleet Ballistic Missiles, emphasized the significance of the program, noting that the second life extension of the Trident D5 missile will help both the US and the UK, under the Polaris Sales Agreement, maintain a reliable deterrent against emerging threats.

The Trident II D5 missile, developed and modernized by Lockheed Martin, is recognized as one of the world’s most advanced ballistic missiles. It is currently deployed on the U.S. OHIO-class and U.K. VANGUARD-class submarines and serves as the cornerstone of sea-based strategic deterrence.

Lockheed Martin’s Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBM) program celebrates 70 years of partnership with the US Navy, focusing on technological innovation, advanced facilities, and security advancements for the US and its allies.

To support the D5LE2 program, Lockheed Martin is building a 225,000-square-foot facility in Titusville, Florida, where components for the upgraded missile will be produced. The facility is expected to create around 300 high-skilled jobs.

Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly praised the investment, highlighting its positive impact on the state's aerospace, military, and defence sectors. He noted that such strategic investments foster economic growth and generate skilled employment opportunities for local communities.

The new facility is expected to be operational by 2027 to meet the US Navy's production needs, playing a vital role in sustaining the Navy’s strategic deterrence mission for the next six decades.

By Tamilla Hasanova