Wanna see the most destructive weapon ever fielded in action?

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 20:10:35 -0400

The UGM-133A Trident II, or Trident D5 is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, California, and deployed with the US and Royal Navies. It was first deployed in March 1990.

--Unit Cost: US$ 37.3 million

--Range: With full load 7,840 kilometres (4,230 nmi);
with reduced load approx. 7,000 mi (11,300 km) (exact is classified)

--Maximum speed: Approximately 18,030 mph (29,020 km/h) (Mach 24, terminal phase). Wrap your mind around that!

--Warheads: up to 14 w88 (475kt), or 14 w76 (100kt).

Folks, you don't want to be on the other end of that flight path!

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DASO_25_Video_(Cleared_for_Release)_VP8_001_Trident_II_UGM_133A_Test_Launch_02_June_2014.webm

File:DASO 25 Video (Cleared for Release) VP8 001 Trident II UGM 133A Test Launch 02 June...

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 7 at 2015 8:57 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 20:57:12 -0400

I've been on a boat with D5s, and I've seen a test launch of one from Port Canaveral. Pretty amazing weapons...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 7 at 2015 10:00 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:00:31 -0400

The 1400-1600 exploration and colonial ships were pretty effective with European diseases.

Response by SN Earl Robinson made Sep 7 at 2015 10:17 PM

SN Earl Robinson — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:17:12 -0400

Incredible! Let's hope we never are forced to use one!

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Sep 7 at 2015 10:29 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 22:29:08 -0400

Wanna know something REEEEAALLY COOL?

The missile never gets wet! The launch system encases the missile in a big ol' prophylactic of bubbles, keeping the missile "dry" all the way to the surface!

(At least, that's what I heard...)

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 8 at 2015 1:51 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 01:51:56 -0400

If you looked closely, you'd see the aerodynamic spike rise out of the nose cone. That alone gives the vehicle added range as it moves the supersonic shock wave forward, hence less drag.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 9 at 2015 8:00 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:00:44 -0400

Most impressive one I knew under my Purview was a SUBROC. Rocket on a Torpedo with a Nuclear Warhead.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 10 at 2015 5:50 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 05:50:55 -0400

Too bad the video doesn't show it blowing up a target!