USS Rhode Island launches Trident II D5, following North Korea and US Air Force missile tests

[soryang]

USS Rhode Island launches Trident II D5, following North Korea and US Air Force missile tests

US Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) carried out a successful test flight of one unarmed Trident II D5 missile on May 9.

On the same day, the US Air Force launched a Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Both tests coincided with North Korea’s firing of two missiles into the sea between North Korea and Japan.

The US Navy launch marked the 172nd successful test flight of the Trident II D5 missile since its introduction to the fleet in 1989.

This test flight was part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation, designated DASO 29. The primary objective of a DASO is to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the SSBN’s strategic weapon system and crew before operational deployment following its engineered refueling overhaul (ERO).

https://navaltoday.com/2019/05/10/uss-rhode-island-launches-trident-ii-d5-following-north-korea-and-us-air-force-missile-tests/

The launch took place off the Florida east coast. The sub is home ported at Kings Bay, GA.

[wasupaloopa]

1. And Vandenberg is on CA central coast.

I use to live on the other side of the fence from VAFB.

We could watch launches from the corner of our street from the ground up.

[soryang]

2. Yes I missed this one

Usually I can see launches from the Cape Kennedy region. I doubt if they advertised it much. Maybe in NOTAMs, but I don't see those.