The US Department of Defense has modified Lockheed Martin Space’s contract by $647 million to extend production and sustainment of the Trident II D5 SLBM, a key element of America’s and Britain’s nuclear deterrent. The deal combines fixed-price and cost-plus structures and ensures continued support for deployed systems while also funding missile production. Work will be distributed across multiple US facilities, with the largest portion taking place in Utah. Completion is scheduled for September 2030.
First fielded in 1990, the Trident II D5 has long been regarded as one of the most capable sea-based nuclear weapons in service. It is designed to carry multiple warheads and strike targets at ranges exceeding 7,000 kilometers. Continuous modernization has enhanced its guidance, propulsion, and reentry systems, securing its place as the backbone of US and UK deterrence. Lockheed Martin has managed the program since inception, and the new award also supports Britain’s Vanguard-class submarine fleet under a foreign military sales agreement.
The Pentagon confirmed that $120 million from the fiscal 2025 Navy procurement budget will be immediately obligated under this award. The contract also includes options that could push its overall value to $745 million. Awarded on a sole-source basis, it reflects Lockheed’s unique role as the only company capable of maintaining and producing the D5 missile system.
The significance of the Trident II program extends beyond missile production. Both the US and UK are committed to keeping the D5 in service into the 2040s, with integration planned for the upcoming Columbia-class and Dreadnought-class submarines. Having logged more than 190 test launches with high reliability, the program exemplifies how incremental upgrades can extend a system’s life cycle. It also underscores the enduring US-UK defense partnership, with shared deterrence capabilities forming a vital part of NATO’s nuclear posture and strategic stability.
