• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

SSBN Launches Fleet Ballistic Missiles

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090917-34
Release Date: 9/17/2009 5:03:00 PM

From Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) (Blue) conducted two successful test flights of the Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile in the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 4.

The SSBN force carries the Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile, providing increased firepower, flexibility, and assurance to our strategic deterrence mission and USS West Virginia tested this capability by launching the unarmed missiles as part of a Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test (FCET).

"The Navy conducts a continuing series of operational system evaluation tests to assure safety, reliability, readiness and performance of the Trident II D5 Strategic Weapons System as required by the Department of Defense's National Command Authority," said Pat Grzelak, Strategic Systems Programs public affairs officer. "The Navy conducts the tests under the testing guidelines of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."

While submerged, USS West Virginia's launching of the Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile marks the 128 and 129 successful flights during the 41st FCET.

"FCET proves the readiness and effectiveness of the most survivable arm of the U.S. Strategic Forces. Operational flight tests validate the credibility of U.S. Strategic deterrence and demonstrated USS West Virginia's ability to successfully accomplish our primary mission," said Cmdr. Michael Katahara, commanding officer USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) (Blue). "It was a very unique opportunity for my crew to do something that very few get to do and I am proud of how they performed. Every member of the crew played an important role in the success of FCET 41."

The primary mission of a SSBN is strategic deterrence, a vital role in U.S. national security - being on scene, but unseen.

"Being that it is the nature of our job to never actually launch strategic missiles, a operation like this one gives us the ability to demonstrate that the weapons system, the crew and the ship are ready and able to do our job,' said Lt. Timothy Williamson, USS West Virginia weapons officer. "It was professionally and personally satisfying for our entire Weapons' department."

The last East Coast FCET was conducted in 2007.