Lockheed gets $76.6M for next-gen of Trident II nuclear missile

The U.S. Navy added $76.6 million to Lockheed Martin's contract for advanced design and development of the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 missile. The modification is fully funded with fiscal 2026 weapons-procurement money and runs through September 2030, with most work performed in Denver and other U.S. locations. D5LE2 is intended to keep the submarine-launched ballistic missile viable until about 2084 and equip future Columbia-class and British Dreadnought-class submarines. This award continues engineering work rather than buying completed missiles, building on earlier development modifications and the current D5 life-extension program.