Successful Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE) Launches Demonstrates Continued Readiness of Nation’s Sea-Based Deterrent

An unarmed Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE) missile launches from an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) off the coast of Florida. One launch test event Sunday evening lit up the night sky and was visible from Puerto Rico.

250921-N-N1701-1001.JPG Photo By: Shelby Thompson

Related Stories:

Successful Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE) Launches Demonstrate Continued Readiness of Nation’s Sea-Based Deterrent

Sep 23, 2025

ATLANTIC OCEAN - ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 17-21, 2025) – An unarmed Trident II D5 Life Extension (D5LE) missile launches from an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) off the coast of Florida. One launch test event Sunday evening lit up the night sky and was visible from Puerto Rico. The four launches conducted from Sept. 17-21 were part of a planned test event which are conducted on a recurring, scheduled basis to evaluate and ensure the continued reliability and accuracy of the system. This exercise validated performance expectations of the Trident II D5LE strategic weapon system (SWS). These test flights resulted in the achievement of 197 total successful missile flight test launches of the Trident II D5 strategic weapon system. The D5 missiles were originally developed in the 1980s, and a life-extension refresh was completed in 2017 to extend the service life of the system to the 2040s. The Trident II D5 strategic weapon system is a highly accurate and reliable weapon system. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)

DOWNLOAD PHOTO (0.58 MB)

This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at http://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations.html , which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.

Back to Gallery

Google Translation Disclaimer