US Nuclear-Capable Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile

A nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile was successfully tested from an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine during a scheduled operation off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The test launch was carried out by USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) as part of Demonstration and Shakedown Operation 29 under the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Program.

The missile, identified as a Trident II D5LE, was fired while the submarine was at sea in the Atlantic Ocean. The launch formed part of a certification process following an engineered refueling overhaul.

The operation is designed to evaluate the readiness of the submarine’s Strategic Weapon System and its crew before the vessel returns to operational deployment.