US STRATEGY COMAND

1. U.S. STRATEGIC COMMAND 
EMAILPRINT 2
USS Maine Successfully Tests Trident II D5LE Missile
By U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs Public Affairs | Feb. 13, 2020
Photos 1 of 1
PACIFIC OCEAN —
The U.S. Navy conducted a scheduled, one-missile test flight of an unarmed life-extended Trident
II (D5LE) missile from USS Maine (SSBN-741), an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, on the
Western Test Range off the coast of San Diego, California, today.
An unarmed Trident II (D5LE) missile
launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile
submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) off the
coast of San Diego, California, Feb. 12, 2020.
The test launch was part of the U.S. Navy
Strategic Systems Programs’ demonstration
and shakedown operation certification
process. The successful launch
demonstrated the readiness of the SSBN’s
strategic weapon system and crew following
the submarine’s engineered refueling
overhaul. This launch marks 177 successful
missile launches of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE)
strategic weapon system. (Photo by MC2
Thomas Gooley)
Photo Details | Download |
0
Skip to main content (Press Enter).

2. EMAILPRINT 2
This was part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation, designated DASO-30. The primary
objective of a DASO is to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the SSBN’s strategic
weapon system and crew before operational deployment following the submarine’s engineered
refueling overhaul.
“The professional performance by the crew of the USS Maine today demonstrated they are ready
to stand the watch for our nation's strategic deterrence mission," said James F. Geurts, assistant
secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition who embarked USS Maine for
the launch. “They, and the acquisition and sustainment teams that support them, showed the
teamwork, commitment, and attention to detail needed to continue to provide the undersea
strategic deterrence for our nation, just as the Navy has done uninterrupted for the last 60
years.”
This launch marks 177 successful missile launches of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE) strategic
weapon system (SWS).
“Today’s test demonstrates the continued reliability of our sea-based nuclear deterrent, which is
made possible by our sailors, civilians and industry partners who bring expertise and dedication
to the mission that is unmatched by any other country,” said Vice Adm. Johnny R. Wolfe, director
of the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs. “These same teams are now developing the next
generation of the Trident strategic weapon system, which will extend our sea-based deterrent for
the next 40 years.”
The Trident strategic weapon system is highly accurate and reliable. The Trident II (D5) missiles
recently underwent a life extension program to address potential impacts from aging and
obsolescence. The life-extended missiles – Trident II (D5LE) – are now being deployed to the
Fleet and will serve for the remaining service life of U.S Ohio-class and United Kingdom Vanguard
-class SSBNs, and as the initial loadout for the U.S. Columbia-class and U.K. Dreadnought-class
SSBNs.
The Navy’s last DASO was in May 2019 off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, from USS Rhode
Island (SSBN-740). The Navy’s most recent flight test – a Commander’s Evaluation Test – was a
series of four launches from USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) in September 2019 off the coast of
Southern California. All five of these 2019 flight tests were of the life-extended Trident II (D5LE).