Charles Stark Draper Laboratories to Enhance Trident II Missile Tech Under $68M DoD Deal

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Charles Stark Draper Laboratories Inc. has secured a $68.4 million contract modification from the United States Department of Defense to continue its work on the guidance system for the Trident II (D5) missile. This contract underscores Draper’s longstanding role as a critical partner in the development and maintenance of strategic missile technologies for both the U.S. and its allies. The Trident II system remains a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, and Draper’s expertise ensures its continued reliability and precision.

Trident II. Photo: U.S. Navy

Included in the scope of this contract is a Foreign Military Sales component to the United Kingdom, which operates the Trident II missiles aboard its Vanguard-class submarines. These submarines form the backbone of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, maintaining a continuous at-sea presence to ensure strategic stability. The collaboration between the U.S. and U.K. on Trident systems reflects decades of defense cooperation and shared technological development.

Work under this contract will be carried out across four locations in the United States, leveraging a distributed network of facilities and talent. This geographic spread allows for specialized contributions from different regions, enhancing the overall efficiency and innovation of the project. The contract is scheduled to be completed by February 28, 2029, marking a multi-year effort to refine and sustain one of the most advanced missile guidance systems in operation.

Funding for the project will be drawn primarily from the U.S. Navy’s fiscal year 2025 weapons procurement budget, with $62 million allocated to support the initiative. This investment highlights the Navy’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading its strategic assets in an increasingly complex global security environment. The remaining funds will likely support ancillary development and administrative costs associated with the contract’s execution.

Draper Laboratories has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Trident guidance system since its inception, contributing innovations that have enhanced accuracy, resilience, and adaptability. Their work ensures that the missile system remains effective under a wide range of operational conditions, including the harsh environments encountered during submarine deployment. The lab’s continued involvement signals confidence in its technical capabilities and institutional knowledge.

The Trident II (D5) missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed for long-range precision strikes, capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Its guidance system is essential for ensuring that each warhead reaches its intended target with minimal deviation, a requirement for strategic deterrence credibility. Draper’s contributions to this system involve advanced inertial navigation technologies and software engineering that push the boundaries of missile guidance.

The inclusion of the U.K. in this contract reflects the enduring strategic partnership between the two nations, particularly in the realm of nuclear defense. Shared development and maintenance of the Trident system allow for interoperability and cost-sharing, strengthening both countries’ deterrent postures. This arrangement also fosters deeper collaboration in defense science and technology, benefiting broader security objectives.

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