Trident II.

This is coolbert:

Within context of the two previous blog entries consider this item as extracted from an article as seen at the outstanding Internet web site Strategy Page.

SLBM = submarine [sea] launched ballistic missiles.

"Strategic Weapons: SLBM Success Elusive"

"You don’t often hear about complex weapons that consistently perform flawlessly. They do exist. For example, test firings of production models of the U.S. Navy Trident II SLBM (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile) have never failed. There have been 143 of these missile launches, which involve an SSBN (ballistic missile carrying nuclear sub) firing one of their Trident IIs, with the nuclear warhead replaced by one of similar weight but containing sensors and communications equipment."

"The test results for the Trident while in development were equally impressive, with 87 percent successful (in 23 development tests) for the Trident I and 98 percent (49 tests) of the Trident II. The Trident I served from 1979-2005, while the Trident II entered service in 1990."

TRIDENT II UNTIL THIS RECENT FAILURE OF A MISSILE AS LAUNCHED FROM A BRITISH SUBMARINE 100 % SUCCESSFUL!

Soviet/Russian and Chinese SLBM in contrast to Trident far less reliable! Very questionable as can be reasonably inferred!!

Never a failure of a production model Trident II until now. So some investigation is warranted. Don't be so rash and throw the baby out with the bath water however,.

coolbert.