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Flight Testing: Validating the Credibility of the Nation's Sea-Based Strategic Deterrent

Strategic Systems Programs

Sept. 1, 2023 | 6:36

WASHINGTON (Sept. 28, 2023) - U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) leaders highlight the importance of SSP's flight testing program as a critical part of the cradle-to-grave responsibility for the nation's vital sea-based strategic deterrence mission. Flight testing programs include ground-based pad-launch testing in support of development, as well as submarine-launched flight testing to verify the performance, accuracy, and effectiveness of the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Trident II (D5LE) strategic weapon system (SWS) aboard the Navy's Ohio-class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN). Submarine launched testing includes the Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) which is the end-to-end certification of the weapons system, the crew, and the SSBN; the Commander's Evaluation Test (CET) which establishes initial SWS performance, accuracy, and reliability and informs U.S. Strategic Command objectives within the scope of the nation's deterrence strategy; and, the Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test (F-CET) which detects any changes in SWS performance. All flight testing is an opportunity to visually prove the overall success of the system. SSP oversees the Sea Based Strategic Deterrence 2084 (SBSD 2084) mission. (U.S. Navy Video by Luke Land)