Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $581.2-million contract to supply the US Navy with more UGM-133A Trident II submarine-launched nuclear ballistic missiles.

According to the US Department of Defense, the contract also benefits a foreign military sale to the UK.

The agreement calls for the American firm to integrate Trident II missiles into the next-generation ballistic submarine designs of the two allied countries.

Work for the contract will be performed in Florida and other parts of the US.

It is expected to be completed by September 2027.

The contract may also reach a total value of $1.2 billion if modification options are exercised.

The Trident II Missiles

The Trident II D5 is regarded as one of the world’s most advanced long-range submarine-launched nuclear missiles.

It has a maximum range of 4,000 to 7,000 miles (6,437 to 11,265 kilometers), and its navigation subsystem uses a combination of inertial and celestial guidance.

Deployed on the Ohio-class submarine, the missile serves as the US Navy’s primary sea-based nuclear ballistic missile.

The service currently operates a total of 14 Ohio-class submarines that carry the Trident II.

“The Trident II D5 missile has achieved 167 successful test launches since design completion in 1989 – a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle,” Lockheed Martin stated on its website.