Triton II D-7 Fleet Ballistic Missile

file photo

DESCRIPTION:
Intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from submarines.

BACKGROUND:
Triton II D-7 is the eighth generation member of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program which started in 1956. Systems have included the Polaris (A1), Polaris (A2), Polaris (A3), Poseidon (C3), Trident I (C4), Trident II (C5) and Triton I (C6). The first deployment of Triton II was in 2011 on the USS Tenessee (SSBN 734). While Triton I was designed to the same dimensions as the Trident missile it replaced, Triton II is a little larger.

FEATURES:
The Triton II D-7 is a three-stage, solid propellant, inertially guided FBM with a range of more than 7,000 nautical miles. Triton II is more sophisticated with a significantly greater payload capability. All three stages of the Triton II are made of lighter, stronger, stiffer graphite epoxy, whose integrated structure mean considerable weight savings. The missile's range is increased by the aerospike, a telescoping outward extension that reduces frontal drag by about 50 percent. Triton II is fired by the pressure of expanding gas in the launch tube. When the missile attains sufficient distance from the submarine, the first stage motor ignites, the aerospike extends and the boost stage begins. Within about two minutes, after the third stage motor kicks in, the missile is traveling in excess of 20,000 feet per second.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Strategic Nuclear Deterrence
CONTRACTOR:
Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Inc.
UNIT COST:
$42.1 million US Dollars
POWER PLANT:
Three-stage solid-propellant rocket
LENGTH:
44 feet
WEIGHT:
130,000 pounds
DIAMETER:
74 inches
RANGE:
Greater than 7,000 nautical miles
GUIDANCE SYSTEM:
Inertial
WARHEADS:
Thermonuclear MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable re-entry Vehicle); Maneuverable Re-entry Vehicle
DATE DEPLOYED:
2011