Lockheed Martin has an $850-million modification to a U.S. Navy contract for ongoing design and development of the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 program – which Lockheed calls “a critical piece” of the U.S. nuclear triad, the network of land, sea, and air nuclear launch capabilities. Lockheed was awarded the base contract in September 2024, for production, deployment support, and modernization of the Trident II (D5) Strategic Weapon System.

Work covered by the current modification will be carried out through September 2030, mainly at Lockheed locations in Colorado and Florida.

Lockheed, along with Raytheon, has been under some pressure by the Pentagon to accelerate missile production and delivery, with longer than usual contract terms to incentivize their efforts.

The Trident II D5 is a three-stage, submarine-launched ballistic missile that is the primary sea-based leg of the triad, for U.S. Ohio-class and U.K. Vanguard-class submarines. Trident II D5 weapons will be integrated with forthcoming Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines when those vessels are introduced in the 2030s.

As detailed by Lockheed, the Trident II D5 strategic weapon system remains a cornerstone of U.S. deterrence, recognized for its accuracy, reliability and operational performance. Developed in the 1980s and modernized as recently as 2017, the Trident II D5 system is being further developed to ensure its effectiveness for continued service through 2084.

Lockheed Martin is the primary contractor responsible for missile production, assembly, sustainment, and life extension operations. General Dynamics Mission Systems is responsible for the Trident II Fire control system and Northrop Grumman supplies the missiles’ propulsion technology.

“Lockheed Martin is fully committed to the mission as we move forward into this next phase,” stated Eric Scherff, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program, Eric Scherff.