US Navy Conducts Multiple Successful Trident II Ballistic Missile Tests Off Florida

The U.S. Navy recently conducted a series of test launches of unarmed Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE) ballistic missiles from an Ohio-class submarine submerged off the Florida coast as part of a scheduled program to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the system. These tests, which took place from September 17 to 21, included a night launch visible from Puerto Rico and marked the 197th successful flight test of the Trident II system, a key component of U.S. strategic nuclear deterrence since the 1960s. The Trident II D5LE, developed in the 1980s and modernized in 2017, has an unclassified range exceeding 7,500 miles and can reach speeds up to Mach 24; it can carry multiple nuclear warheads, including the W88 and W76, with precision targeting capabilities. The tests were not conducted in response to any specific global events, although some analysts note their timing amid recent Chinese missile displays. The Trident II system is also deployed by the U.K. Royal Navy and remains central to the strategic sea-based leg of the nuclear triad, with ongoing development aimed at future deterrence capabilities. Safety notifications were issued to mariners and airmen to secure the test area in the Atlantic Ocean during the launches.