\u201cThese tests demonstrate the readiness and reliability of this crucial system that protects what matters most for the nation. The Trident Strategic Weapon System stands guard every minute of every day, thanks to the dedication and forward thinking of the Navy program office, the submarine crews and the industry team,\u201d explained Eric Scherff, Vice President of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs at Lockheed Martin Space Systems.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Trident II D5 missile is a three-stage ballistic missile that can travel an average range of 4,000 nautical miles while carrying multiple independently targeted missiles. They are typically deployed on US Navy Ohio-class and UK Royal Navy Vanguard-class submarines, primarily as nuclear aggression deterrents. The D5 is the sixth generation of the Trident missile program that has been deployed since the sea-based deterrent program was launched.<\/p>\n Lockheed Martin has been the primary ballistic missile contractor for the US Navy since 1955. That makes theirs one of the longest ongoing government and industry major US weapon system partnerships in history. They also manufacture a wide range of products for the US military, including planes, drones, satellites and spacecraft for human use. Additionally, Lockheed Martin has been selected to perform program management and engineering services for the Royal Navy under the Polaris Sales Agreement.<\/p>\n The 3D printed connector backshell component for the D5 missile was developed using Lockheed Martin\u2019s Digital Tapestry<\/a> set of advanced manufacturing tools. The Digital Tapestry links all stages of Lockheed Martin\u2019s manufacturing processes, including the initial design concept, part production and final qualification. Using cutting-edge technology like human immersion virtual reality systems during the manufacturing processes, tablet computing to present design data on the production floor and integrated intelligent machines that automate labor-intensive processes as part of the company\u2019s cost reduction efforts. Discuss in the Lockheed Martin 3D Printed Components forum<\/a> over at 3DPB.com.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/3dprint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/3dp_lockheed_connector_backshell-e1458623984592.jpg\")
<\/a>This recent group of test launches brings the total number of successful tests up to 160 test flights since the basic design was completed back in 1989, making the Trident the world\u2019s most reliable large ballistic missile. The unarmed missiles were launched out in the Atlantic Ocean from a submerged submarine. The test flights were conducted under the testing guidelines set by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as part of a Follow-on Commander\u2019s Evaluation Test of the Trident Strategic Weapon System. Lockheed Martin produced kits, including the 3D printed component, that converted the unarmed missiles into test configurations that included range safety monitoring devices and flight telemetry instruments.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/3dprint.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/3dp_lockheed_trident_D5_components-e1458624009638.jpg\")
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