Russian "Sineva" against the American "Trident". Mysterious Trident What will the money be used for?

At the end of last week, the Pentagon closed a significant area of ​​the world's oceans to air flights and navigation: west of the Florida peninsula in Gulf of Mexico, and also west of Angola in the South Atlantic. This was due to the scheduled launch of the Trident-2 ICBM on Sunday night from one of the Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines.

This launch is not listed as planned, intended either to confirm the performance characteristics of missiles that have been in long-term operation, or to carry out measures for the next modernization of the missile, which was put into service in 1990. Since the previous planned firings of a pair of Trident-2s at an interval of three hours were carried out in March by the Ohio boat, located near the Californian coast of the United States.

So we can assume that we have now observed a demonstrative “flexing of muscles”. And it was associated with the salvo launch of four Bulava ICBMs by the Russian strategic submarine Dmitry Donskoy of Project 995 Borei. The salvo was fired with an interval of 1-2 seconds between the release of two adjacent missiles.

In the West, the firing of the Russian Navy is also considered demonstrative, for some reason linking it to the then approaching opening of the World Cup. However, these firings were, first of all, a test of the submarine's salvo firing systems, which had never been done in Russia since the late 80s.

The difficulty of such massive launches is that the boat loses mass after the launch of each rocket, which leads to a change in its depth. And this, in turn, in the case of unreliable operation of the rocket control automation, can affect the accuracy. On May 22, all missiles fired from the White Sea reached the Kura test site in Kamchatka, all combat units hit their targets.

Over the past three years, Pentagon generals, constantly and purposefully knocking out funding from the US Congress, have been talking about the need “in the face of Russia’s aggressive aspirations” to improve their nuclear potential. That is, to create new strategic weapons in all three of their types - underwater, air and ground.

And these persistent speeches had an effect. Last year, the Congressional Budget Office released a report, Projected Spending on U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2017 to 2026. It includes a total amount of 400 billion dollars. Of course, not all this money will be spent on new developments and construction of advanced weapons. Huge amounts of money are spent on maintaining existing arsenals and strategic equipment. At the same time, in the same document published in 2015, it was about 350 billion. The progress is significant.

This money is already beginning to be actively promoted. And above all in the maritime component of the nuclear triad. Currently, the fourth generation strategic boat Columbia is being designed, which should replace the Ohio boat, since it will soon turn 40 years old. The development cost is estimated at $12 billion. The construction of each of the 14 strategic submarines is estimated at approximately $5 billion. However, if the first boats begin to be laid down in the next decade, that is, during the period indicated in the Congressional report, then they will begin to enter service with the US Navy in the 30s. The entire Columbia project will cost $100 billion.

However, not yet there is talk on replacing the Trident-2 missile with a promising ICBM. The US Navy is satisfied with it because it leads the world in a number of parameters. It has the smallest possible circular deviation from the target - about 100 meters. Our Bulava has 250 meters. So far, Trident-2 ranks second in range after the Russian Sineva - 11,300 km versus 11,500 km. In terms of throwing weight, it is on par with the Sinevaya - 2800 kg. However, Sineva, after replacing the third-generation strategic submarines Dolphin and Kalmar with fourth-generation Borei submarines, will be withdrawn from service. Only the Bulava will remain, which has less range and throwable weight. However, firstly, due to modernization, the Bulava is expected to improve its power characteristics to the American missile in the foreseeable future.

And, secondly, the Bulava control system is more advanced, which is extremely important in a situation of constant expansion of systems capabilities missile defense. An ICBM, “stupidly” flying along a ballistic trajectory, will after some time become not the most difficult prey for missile defense systems. As for the Bulava, it uses modern techniques for overcoming missile defense. A short active part of the trajectory, when the missile is easily detected by the running engine. A flat trajectory, leaving the anti-missile missiles too little time to react. And finally, maneuvering the warheads. And also equipment electronic warfare. The Trident-2 ICBM has none of this.

But the quantitative superiority in missiles located on one strategic submarine will be eliminated with the arrival of the Columbia boats in the US Navy. Now the Ohio boat has the 24th ICBM. Each Russian boat has 16 ICBMs. There will also be 16 on Columbia. However, the reduction in strike power of the Pentagon intends to compensate for the greater secrecy of Columbia. It is supposed to partially use the technology of the multi-purpose (non-strategic) boat “Virginia”, which, like our “Borey”, belongs to the fourth generation of submarines.

The maritime component of the triad is the strongest in the United States. Submarines have 67% percent nuclear warheads from them total number, who is on combat duty. The rest comes from US strategic aviation and land-based silo-based missiles.

The second place is occupied by the air component of the nuclear triad. And here it is expected that a lot of work will be done so that, as the Deputy Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff recently stated at a hearing in Congress General Paul Selva, strategic aviation guaranteed to overcome the Russian air defense system.

Work is being carried out in two directions. Both the promising B-21 bomber and a cruise missile with a nuclear charge are being created. The USA has bombers, but they are mostly very ancient - B-52. There are very few modern ones - V-2, only 19 machines. There are no strategic missiles, instead B61 (340 kt) and B63 (1.1 Mt) bombs.

The tender to create the B-21 bomber, worth $80 billion, was won by Northrop Grumman. Almost nothing is known about what the B-21 will be like and what characteristics it will have, since work is currently underway. initial stage. There is only a reduced model for showing to the press and potential customers. Externally, this is a “flying wing”, which has some similarities with the B-2. It is assumed that the bomber will have two control modes - piloted and unmanned.

The first aircraft are scheduled to appear in 2025. However, these are overly optimistic forecasts. The B-2 Spirit took 20 years to complete. 10 years from the start of development to the first flight of the prototype, and the same amount before the start serial production. However, the Pentagon plans to have 100 new bombers by 2037.

Lockheed Martin is developing a nuclear cruise missile long range LRSO (Long Range Stand-Off) to equip not only promising, but also operational strategic bombers.

Ground-based nuclear forces are the silo-based Minuteman 3 ICBMs, which began being put on combat duty in 1970. That is, almost half a century ago. This is the weakest link in the US nuclear triad. Even though the missiles have a good range of 13,000 km, there are almost no mechanisms to counter missile defense systems. They periodically change fuel, replace worn-out warheads, and update the control system. But this missile is clearly outdated, as stated several times Donald Trump, informed by referents.

The Pentagon decided to replace them with promising ones. The tender, worth $62 billion, was won by Northrop Grumman and Boeing. For a billion, by 2020 they must provide a report on what technologies need to be used to create a promising ICBM. That is, this is the cost of research. Big money will come at the stage of R&D and subsequent serial production of four hundred missiles. The cost of procurement together with the cost of development is 62 billion dollars. Of this, 13 billion will be paid for the creation of command and control systems, as well as launch centers.

The UK's launch of the Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missile failed, according to the Sunday Times. But that's not what's important. The exercise took place in June last year, and the failure was hidden even from the British Parliament. Who needed to classify this information and why?

Last July, British Prime Minister Theresa May visited Bratislava. A rather ordinary visit to the capital of Slovakia became the center of attention of all the world media.
A journalist from a Slovak TV channel asked Theresa May a question at a press conference: “Is the British Prime Minister ready to use nuclear weapons against Russia?”
May's answer was clear.
“Indeed, last week there was a very important vote in Parliament on the continuation of our nuclear program,” May said. - During the debate, the question was raised about whether I would be ready to use nuclear weapons as a deterrent force. And my answer was: “Yes!”
It was the inspiring speech of the new British Prime Minister that convinced British parliamentarians to increase spending on updating the Trident nuclear program.
- Some people suggest that we get rid of our powers nuclear deterrence. It was an important part of our national security and protection for half a century, and it would be wrong for us to move away from this direction,” May said before the parliamentary hearings, not forgetting to note the threats from Russia and North Korea.
Speaking to parliamentarians, May already knew about the failure of the Trident II D5 intercontinental ballistic missile launch. The launch was made from a British submarine near American state Florida in June. The rocket deviated from its intended course and flew towards the coast of the United States.

The nuclear shield is obsolete

As a result, deputies voted for modernization nuclear shield countries. Upgrading the UK's current naval nuclear shield, consisting of Vanguard-class submarines, will cost taxpayers £31 billion (about $41 billion), with a £10 billion (about $13.2 billion) contingency reserve on top of that.
Today, the UK's strategic nuclear forces consist of one submarine squadron, which includes four missile submarines strategic purpose(SSBN) of the Vanguard type, equipped with ballistic missiles for submarines Trident-2 (16 missiles with multiple warheads with individual guidance units). Maximum range missile firing range - up to 11,500 km.
The lead boat, Vanguard, was commissioned in 1994, the second, Victorias, in 1995, the third, Vigilent, in 1998, and the fourth, Vengeance, in 2001. Their service life is 30 years.
Three of the four submarines in Peaceful time are in full combat readiness. One of them carries out combat patrol in the northeast Atlantic, and the other two are on combat duty at the Faslane base. The fourth boat is undergoing major repairs or modernization.
Trident-2 ballistic missiles are loaded onto boats at American arsenal in Kings Bay, Georgia. Moreover, the Americans exercise full supervision over the operation of these missiles and also carry out their maintenance.
The British purchased a total of 58 Trident-2 missiles from the Americans, but an ammunition load of 48 pieces is allocated for operational deployment. Each missile carries no more than three warheads, and missiles intended for sub-strategic strike are equipped with one warhead.
In service with naval strategic nuclear forces Great Britain has about 500 nuclear warheads in total. This amount includes active (225 units) and inactive (up to 275 units) ammunition.
Direct control of the actions of strategic submarine cruisers is exercised by the commander of the British Navy fleet.

What will the money be used for?

In its current form, the English shield will last until 2020, but extending the service life of submarines in the future is considered inappropriate. New program provides for the replacement of four Vanguard missile submarines with new ones - the Successor class.
In May 2012, information appeared in the United Kingdom media that the British Ministry of Defense had signed contracts with BAE Systems, Babcock and Rolls-Royce worth a total of £347 million for the design of a new generation SSBN. It is planned to build four Successor-class boats with the commissioning of the lead SSBN in 2028.
Each new British SSBN will have 16 Trident-2 D-5 Life Extension missiles. The SSBN project is based on the developments of the so-called Derived Submarine - a completely new nuclear submarine design. The submarine will be equipped with a new generation pressurized water reactor. Distinctive features The architecture of the new SSBN will use X-shaped rudders, as well as fencing retractable devices of a new streamlined shape.

The crown is held hostage by Uncle Sam

The most important thing to pay attention to in the new UK nuclear program is the missiles that will be equipped with the updated submarine fleet crowns The British who abandoned their own developments nuclear weapons in favor of American missiles, they are forced to develop new nuclear submarines, taking into account the fact that they will have to use old American missiles.
It's not that the Trident-2 D-5 Life Extension is a bad missile. Trident-2 is generally one of the best examples of missiles created for submarines and is second only to our most modern ones nuclear missiles, which we described in detail in the material “Superweapons of the Nuclear Age. How Russia and the USA fight underwater." However, the supposedly new missiles that the new British submarines will receive are in fact the same old Tridents, which will be forcibly extended their life.
Moreover, the Americans will extend the life of the missiles, and the British taxpayer will have to pay for these “new” missiles. Russia, for example, does not have such a problem and is capable of independently developing both new types of SSBNs and modern rocket weapons to them. Since the British nuclear weapons program is tightly tied to American industry, they have no room to maneuver various types missiles and are doomed to trail behind the American rearmament program, dutifully paying for the old Tridents and humbly waiting for the US military industry to deign to develop new type missiles for nuclear submarines.

In fact, the very hushing up of the failed launch, which, as it turned out, took place back in the summer, demonstrates how much the British crown depends on American weapons. Perhaps, if the disaster had become known earlier, Labor or the Conservatives might have rebelled and demanded that funding be redirected towards developing their own modern nuclear weapons. However, at present, both old and still being designed SSBNs of Great Britain are doomed in advance to the Trident, the famous reliability of which, quite relevant in the 70s of the last century, is already beginning to fail in modern realities.
Victor Loginov

Trident-2 missiles / Photo: bastion-karpenko.ru

The US Navy tested the Trident II strategic ballistic missile. The launch was planned, he said official representative 3rd Operational Fleet Ryan Perry, as quoted by Interfax.

“The missile was launched from a nuclear submarine missile-based"Kentucky" class "Ohio" at sea at the Pacific training ground near south coast State of California"

Perry noted that the purpose of the test was to check the condition missile system"as part of the Navy's strategic systems programs."

The missile was launched from the Ohio-class nuclear-powered missile submarine (SSBN) Kentucky at sea at a Pacific range off the southern coast of California.

The specific direction of the flight has not been announced.

As The San Diego Union-Tribune notes, the rocket's passage could be seen in the sky above Californian city San Diego. Because the local residents were not privy to the Navy's plans, on Saturday evening the city media and law enforcement agencies received many calls from people reporting about flying comets or atomic bomb, writes Lenta.ru.

Technical information

Trident (English Trident - Trident) - family of American three-stage solid fuel submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Development history

From the second half of the 70s, the transformation of the views of the American political leadership on the prospects began nuclear war. Considering the opinion of most scientists about disastrous for the United States even a retaliatory Soviet nuclear strike , it decided to accept the theory limited nuclear war for one theater of war, and specifically, European. To implement it, new nuclear weapons.

November 1, 1966 US Department of Defense research work was started on strategic weapons STRAT-X. The original purpose of the program was to evaluate a new project strategic missile proposed by the US Air Force - the future MX. However, under the leadership of R. McNamara, evaluation rules were formulated, according to which proposals from other branches of the forces should be evaluated at the same time. When considering options, the cost of the created weapons complex was calculated, taking into account the creation of the entire basing infrastructure. An assessment was made of the number of surviving warheads after an enemy nuclear strike. The resulting cost of the “surviving” warhead was the main evaluation criterion. From the US Air Force, in addition to ICBMs deployed in a highly protected silo, the option of using the new B-1 bomber was submitted for consideration.

The US Navy has proposed the ULMS strategic weapons system. Undersea Long-range Missile System ). The basis of the system was submarines with new EXPO extended-range missiles. EXpanded "POseidon" ) - the missile's range made it possible to release the entire ammunition load immediately after leaving the base, and this program won the STRAT-X competition. The US Deputy Secretary of Defense approved the decision of the Navy Coordination Committee.Decision Coordinating Paper (DCP) No. 67) No. 67 dated September 14, 1971 according to ULMS. The phased development of the program was approved. At the first stage, within the framework of the EXPO program, the Trident I C-4 missile was created with an extended range in the dimensions of the Poseidon missile and the development of a new Ohio-class SSBN. And within the framework of the second stage of ULMS II - the creation of a large-sized missile - Trident II D5 with an increased range. By decision of the Deputy Minister on December 23, 1971, an accelerated work schedule was included in the Navy budget with the planned deployment of missiles in 1978.

Deployment

Realizing the impossibility of obtaining a new SSBN before the end of the 70s, the technical specifications for the Trident I C-4 imposed size restrictions. It had to fit into the dimensions of the Poseidon rocket. This made it possible to rearm thirty-one Lafayette-class SSBNs with new missiles. Each SSBN was equipped with 16 missiles. Also with Trident-C4 missiles, 8 new generation boats of the Ohio type with 24 of the same missiles were to be put into operation. Due to financial restrictions, the number of Lafayette-class SSBNs subject to conversion was reduced to 12. They became 6 boats of the type "James Madison" and 6 types "Benjamin Franklin".

At the second stage, it was planned to build another 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and arm all boats of this project with the new Trident II-D5 SLBM with higher tactical and technical characteristics. Due to the need to reduce nuclear weapons under the START II treaty, only 10 boats of the second series were built with Trident II-D5 missiles. And of the 8 boats of the first series, only 4 SSBNs were converted to new missiles.

Current state

IN In 2008, Trident missiles accounted for 32% of deployed US nuclear warheads. There are 288 ballistic missiles deployed on 14 nuclear submarines. Total number warheads - 1728, of which 384 are 455 kt each.

Today, SSBNs of the James Madison type and the Benjamin Franklin type have been withdrawn from the fleet. And as of 2009, all 14 Ohio-class SSBNs in service are equipped with the Trident II-D5. Trident I C-4 missile withdrawn from service.

As part of the “prompt global strike” program, developments are underway to equip Trident II missiles with non-nuclear warheads. As a warhead, it is possible to use either a MIRV with tungsten “arrows”, or a monoblock one with an explosive mass of up to 2 tons.

Modifications

Trident I (C4) UGM-96A "Trident-I" C4)

General contractor - company "Lockheed Missiles and Space Company".It was adopted by the US Navy in 1979. The missile has been removed from service.

TridentII (D5) (English UGM-133A "Trident-II" D5)

In 1990, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company completed testing of the new Trident-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) and it was put into service.

Comparative characteristics of modifications

Characteristic	UGM-96A "Trident-I" C4	UGM-133A "Trident-II" D5
Starting weight, kg	32 000	59 000
Maximum throwing weight, kg	1 280	2 800
Warheads	up to 8 W76 (100kT)	up to 8 W88 (475kT) or up to 14 W76 (100kT)
Guidance system type

UGM-133A Trident II- an American three-stage ballistic missile designed to be launched from nuclear submarines. Developed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, California. The missile has a maximum range of 11,300 km and has a multiple warhead with individual guidance units equipped with thermonuclear charges with a power of 475 and 100 kilotons.

Thanks to high precision SLBMs are capable of effectively hitting small, highly protected targets - deep bunkers and silo launchers of intercontinental ballistic missiles. As of 2010, Trident II is the only SLBM remaining in service with the US and British Navy SSBNs. The warheads deployed on Trident II account for 52% of the US strategic nuclear forces and 100% of the UK strategic nuclear forces.
Together with the Trident I missile it is part of missile complex "Trident". In 1990 it was adopted by the US Navy. The Trident missile system is carried by 14 SSBNs "Ohio". In 1995, it was adopted by the Royal Navy. 4 SSBNs are armed with Trident II missiles "Vanguard" .

Development history

Another transformation of the views of the American political leadership on the prospects of nuclear war began approximately in the second half of the 1970s. Most scientists were of the opinion that even a retaliatory Soviet nuclear strike would be disastrous for the United States. Therefore, the theory of limited nuclear war for the European Theater of Operations was adopted. To implement it, new nuclear weapons were needed.

The US Department of Defense began research work on the STRAT-X strategic weapons on November 1, 1966. The original purpose of the program was to evaluate the design of a new strategic missile proposed by the US Air Force - the future MX. However, under the leadership of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, evaluation rules were formulated according to which proposals from other branches of the force must be evaluated simultaneously. When considering options, the cost of the created weapons complex was calculated, taking into account the creation of the entire basing infrastructure. An assessment was made of the number of surviving warheads after an enemy nuclear strike. The resulting cost of the “surviving” warhead was the main evaluation criterion. From the US Air Force, in addition to ICBMs with increased security deployment in a silo, the option of using a new bomber was submitted for consideration B-1 .

Design

Design of marching steps

The Trident-2 rocket is a three-stage rocket with a tandem-type arrangement of stages. The rocket is 13,530 mm (532.7 in) long and has a maximum launch weight of 59,078 kg (130,244 lb). All three main stages are equipped with solid propellant rocket engines. The first and second stages have a diameter of 2108 mm (83 in) and are connected by a transition compartment. The nose has a diameter of 2057 mm (81 in). Includes a third stage engine occupying central part head compartment and breeding stage with warheads located around it. From external influences the nose part is closed by a fairing and a nose cap with a sliding telescopic aerodynamic needle.

Head design

The missile warhead was developed by General Electric. In addition to the previously mentioned fairing and solid propellant rocket engine of the third stage, it includes an instrument compartment, a combat compartment and a propulsion system. Control systems, warhead breeding systems, power supplies and other equipment are installed in the instrument compartment. The control system controls the operation of all three stages of the rocket and the propagation stage.

Compared to the operation scheme of the Trident-1 rocket propulsion stage, a number of improvements have been introduced on the Trident-2. Unlike the C4 flight, during the acceleration phase the warheads look “forward”. After separation of the third stage solid propellant rocket engine, the expansion stage is oriented to the position required for astrocorrection. After this, based on the specified coordinates, the onboard computer calculates the trajectory, the stage is oriented blocks forward and accelerates to the required speed. The stage unfolds and one warhead is separated, usually downward relative to the trajectory at an angle of 90 degrees. If the block to be separated is in the field of action of one of the nozzles, it overlaps. The three remaining working nozzles begin to turn the combat stage. This reduces the impact on the orientation of the warhead of the propulsion system, which increases accuracy. After orientation during the flight, the cycle begins for the next combat unit - acceleration, turn and separation. This procedure is repeated for all warheads. Depending on the distance of the launch area from the target and the trajectory of the missile, the warheads reach the targets 15-40 minutes after the missile is launched.

The combat compartment can accommodate up to 8 warheads W88 power 475 kt or up to 14 W76 power 100 kt. At maximum load, the missile is capable of throwing 8 W88 blocks to a range of 7838 km.

Missile operation and current status

Missile carriers in the US Navy are Ohio-class submarines, each of which is armed with 24 missiles. As of 2009, the US Navy operates 14 boats of this type. Missiles are installed in SSBN silos when they go on combat duty. After returning from combat duty, the missiles are unloaded from the boat and moved to a special storage facility. Only naval bases Bangor and Kings Bay are equipped with missile storage facilities. While the missiles are in storage, work is carried out on them to maintenance.
Missile launches are carried out during test trials. Tests are carried out mainly in two cases. After significant upgrades and to confirm combat effectiveness, missile launches are carried out for test and research purposes (English: Research and Development Test). Also, as part of the acceptance tests upon adoption and after major repairs, each SSBN performs a test launch of missiles (Demonstration and Shakedown Operation, DASO).
According to plans, in 2010-2020, two boats will be undergoing major repairs with the reactor recharging. As of 2009, the KON of Ohio-class boats is 0.6, so on average there will be 8 boats on combat duty and constant readiness There are 192 missiles ready for launch.

The START II Treaty provided for the unloading of Trident-2 from 8 to 5 warheads and limiting the number of SSBNs to 14 units. But in 1997, the implementation of this agreement was blocked by Congress with the help of a special law.

On April 8, 2010, the presidents of Russia and the United States signed a new treaty on the limitation of strategic offensive weapons - START III. According to the provisions of the treaty, the total number of deployed nuclear warheads is limited to 1,550 units for each of the parties. The total number of deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and strategic missile-carrying bombers for Russia and the United States should not exceed 700 units, and another 100 carriers may be in reserve, in a non-deployed state. Trident-2 missiles are also covered by this agreement. As of July 1, 2009, the United States had 851 carriers and some of them must be reduced. So far, the US plans have not been announced, so whether this reduction will affect Trident 2 is not known for certain. The issue of reducing the number of Ohio-class submarines from 14 to 12 while maintaining the total number of warheads deployed on them is being discussed.

Performance characteristics

• Number of steps: 3
• Length, m: 13.42
• Diameter, m: 2.11
• Maximum take-off weight, kg: 59,078
• Maximum throwing weight, kg: 2800
• Maximum range, km: 11,300
• Guidance system type: inertial + astro correction + GPS

• Warhead: thermonuclear
• Type of warhead: multiple warhead with individual guidance units
• Number of warheads: up to 8 W88 (475 kt) or up to 14 W76 (100 kt)
• Based on: SSBNs of the Ohio and Vanguard types

In 1990, testing of a new submarine-launched ballistic missile ( SLBM) "Trident-2" and it was put into service. This SLBM Submarine ballistic missile, like its predecessor Trident-1 C4, is part of the Trident strategic missile system, which is carried by nuclear missile submarines ( SSBN) Ohio type. The complex also includes missile storage and launch systems, as well as missile fire control systems. The functioning of the missile system is also ensured by auxiliary equipment.

The Trident-2 complex is superior to the Trident-1 C4 in terms of the power of nuclear charges and their number, accuracy and firing range. Increased power of nuclear warheads and increased firing accuracy provide SLBM Submarine ballistic missile"Trident-2" the ability to effectively hit highly protected small-sized targets, including silo launchers ICBM Intercontinental ballistic missile.

Solid fuel SLBM Submarine ballistic missile"Trident-2" have three stages, connected by transition (connecting) compartments, and the third stage engine is located in the central part of the head compartment. At the same time, the main mass-dimensional characteristics of the Trident-2 missile significantly exceed the similar parameters of the Trident-1 C4.

Solid rocket motors ( Solid propellant rocket engine) all three stages have a lightweight oscillating nozzle that provides pitch and yaw control. Trident-1 C4 nozzles are made of graphite-based composite material and have greater resistance to erosion, and Trident-2 nozzles and nozzle attachments are made of new materials that ensure operation at high blood pressure for longer periods of time and using higher potency fuels.

Thrust vector control (TCV) of a rocket in the active part of the flight path SLBM Submarine ballistic missile in pitch and yaw is carried out due to the deflection of the nozzles. Roll control is not performed in the area where the engines of all three stages are operating. Accumulated during operation Solid propellant rocket engine Solid Fuel Rocket Engine The roll deviation is compensated during the operation of the propulsion system of the missile head section (compartment). Nozzle rotation angles Solid propellant rocket engine Solid Fuel Rocket Engine are small and do not exceed 6-7°. Maximum angle The nozzle rotation is determined based on the magnitude of possible random deviations caused by the underwater launch and rotation of the rocket. Angle of rotation of the nozzle to correct the flight path after completion of work Solid propellant rocket engine Solid Fuel Rocket Engine and separation of rocket stages is usually 2-3°, and during the rest of the flight - 0.5°.

An increase in the mass of the fuel of the first and second stages, as well as the use of rocket fuel with a high specific impulse and the introduction of some design changes made it possible to increase the firing range SLBM Submarine ballistic missile"Trident-2" in comparison with Trident-1 C4 is approximately 3000 km with the same throw weight.

The missile warheads, developed by General Electric, include an instrument compartment, a combat compartment, a propulsion system and a nose fairing with an aerodynamic nose needle. The instrument compartment houses various systems (control and guidance, data entry for warhead detonation, warhead disengagement), power supplies and other equipment. The control and guidance system controls the flight of the missile during the operation of its propulsion engines and the deployment of warheads. It generates commands to turn on, turn off, and separate Solid propellant rocket engine Solid Fuel Rocket Engine all three stages, turning on the propulsion system of the main unit, carrying out flight path correction maneuvers SLBM Submarine ballistic missile and targeting warheads.

Control and guidance system SLBM Submarine ballistic missile Trident-1 C4 type Mk5 includes two electronic units installed in the lower (rear) part of the instrument compartment. The first unit (size 0.42x0.43x0.23 m, weighing 30 kg) contains computer Electronic computer, generating control signals, and control circuits. The second block (diameter 0.355 m, weight 38.5 kg) contains a gyro-stabilized platform on which two gyroscopes, three accelerometers, an astronomical sensor, and temperature control equipment are installed. A similar Mk6 system is also available on SLBM Submarine ballistic missile"Trident-2".

The warhead disengagement system ensures the generation of commands for maneuvering the warhead when targeting warheads and their separation. It is installed in the upper (front) part of the instrument compartment. The warhead detonation data input system records the necessary information during pre-launch preparation and generates data on the detonation height of each warhead.

The combat compartment of Trident-1 C4 accommodates up to eight W-76 warheads with a yield of 100 kt each, located in a circle, and "Trident-2" (thanks to a significantly increased thrust-to-weight ratio) - eight W-88 warheads with a yield of 475 kt each, or up to 14 W-76.

The propulsion system of the warhead consists of solid propellant gas generators and control nozzles, with the help of which the speed of the warhead, its orientation and stabilization are regulated. On Trident-1 C4 it includes two gas generators (powder pressure accumulator - operating temperature 1650 ° C, specific impulse 236 s, high pressure 33 kgf/cm2, low pressure 12 kgf/cm2) and 16 nozzles (four front, four rear and eight roll stabilization). The propellant mass of the propulsion system is 193 kg, the maximum operating time after separation of the third stage is 7 minutes. The propulsion system of the Trident-2 missile uses four solid fuel gas generators developed by Atlantic Research.

The head fairing is designed to protect the head of the rocket as it moves through water and dense layers of the atmosphere. The fairing is reset during the operation of the second stage engine. The nose aerodynamic needle was used on Trident-2 missiles in order to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase the firing range with the existing forms of their head fairings. It is recessed into the fairing and extends telescopically under the influence of the powder accumulator pressure. On the Trident-1 C4 rocket, the needle has six components, extends at an altitude of 600m within 100 ms and reduces aerodynamic drag by 50 percent. Aerodynamic needle on SLBM Submarine ballistic missile"Trident-2" has seven retractable parts.

The missile storage and launch system is designed for storage and maintenance, protection from overloads and impacts, emergency release and launch of missiles with SSBN Nuclear ballistic missile submarine located in a submerged or surface position. On Ohio-class submarines such a system is called Mk35 mod. O (on ships with the Trident-1 C4 complex) and Mk35 mod. 1 (for the Trident-2 complex), and on converted SSBN Nuclear ballistic missile submarine type Lafayette Lafayette - Mk24. The Mk35 mod.O systems include 24 silo launchers ( PU Launcher), emission subsystem SLBM Submarine ballistic missile, launch monitoring and control subsystem and missile loading equipment. PU Launcher consists of a shaft, a cover with a hydraulic drive, sealing and locking the cover, a starting cup, a membrane, two plug connectors, equipment for supplying a vapor-gas mixture, four control and adjustment hatches, 11 electrical, pneumatic and optical sensors.

The shaft is a cylindrical steel structure and is an integral part of the hull SSBN Nuclear ballistic missile submarine. The lid on top of the eye is closed with a hydraulic drive, which ensures sealing against water and withstands the same pressure as robust housing boats. There is a seal between the cover and the neck of the shaft. To prevent unauthorized opening, the lid is equipped with a locking device, which also ensures the locking of the lid sealing ring. PU Launcher with mechanisms for opening control and adjustment hatches. This prevents the lid from opening at the same time PU Launcher and control and adjustment hatches, with the exception of the missile loading and unloading stage.

A steel launch cup is installed inside the shaft. The annular gap between the walls of the shaft and the glass has a seal made of elastomeric polymer, which acts as shock absorbers. Shock-absorbing and sealing belts are placed in the gap between the inner surface of the glass and the rocket. In the launch cup SLBM Submarine ballistic missile is installed on a support ring, which ensures its azimuthal alignment. The ring is fixed to shock-absorbing devices and centering cylinders. The top of the launch cup is covered with a membrane, which prevents sea water from entering the shaft when the lid is opened. The 6.3 mm thick, rigid membrane shell is dome-shaped with a diameter of 2.02 m and a height of 0.7 m. It is made of asbestos-reinforced phenolic resin. Adhered to the inner surface of the membrane is low-density polyurethane foam with open cells and a honeycomb material shaped like the nose of a rocket. This ensures protection of the rocket from power and thermal loads when the membrane is opened using profiled charges explosive installed on the inner surface of the shell. When opened, the shell is destroyed into several parts.