View source for Trident (missile)

== Service ==

Two varieties of the Trident were built:

=== Trident I (C4) ===

The C4 was introduced in 1979 and was fitted on the first ten ''Ohio''-class submarines, as well as the ''James Madison'' and ''Benjamin Franklin'' classes, replacing [[Poseidon missile]]s. It was phased out by 1990 in favor of the more powerful D5.

=== Trident II (D5) ===

The Trident D5 was constructed as a strategic nuclear weapons platform to destroy Soviet land-based missiles in case of a Soviet first strike. 

It can carry a heavier payload and has a greater range.

=== D5 life extension ===

In 2002, the United States announced a plan to extend the original 2027 retirement date to 2042. The D5 Life Extension Program attempted to replace key navigational and reentry systems at minimum cost, and keep the missiles operational for at least an additional 25 years.<ref>https://www.defensetech.org/2014/04/11/navy-extends-trident-ii-d5-nuclear-missile-service-life</ref>