Today, an Ohio class ballistic missile submarine assigned to Submarine Group 10, completed a Follow-on Commander’s Evaluation Test (FCET) with the launch of three Trident II D5 missiles.
Designated FCET-52, and spanning a three-day period, the operation marked the 158th, 159th, and 160th successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile. The primary objective of an FCET is to obtain, under operationally representative conditions, valid reliability, accuracy, and performance of the missile system for use by Commander, Strategic Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Safety of the public was paramount throughout the mission. The missiles were unarmed and all launches were conducted from the sea, flew over the sea, and landed in the sea. At no time did the missiles fly over land.
A credible, effective nuclear deterrent is essential to our national security and the security of U.S. allies and friends. Strategic weapons tests, exercises and operations such as FCET-52 demonstrate the readiness of the submarine launched Trident II missile. As the most survivable leg of our strategic deterrent Triad, it provides the national command authority with assured second-strike capability.
