The U.S. Navy has awarded a $68.4 million contract to The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc., based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to supply interferometric fiber optic gyros (IFOGs) and related guidance system components for the Trident II (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The order, announced in August, covers design analysis, testing, manufacturing, procurement, and repair of these advanced navigation systems.
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IFOGs are essential for the Trident II missile because they provide highly reliable, self-contained guidance that does not depend on external signals, such as GPS. This makes them critical for the missile’s accuracy and operational safety. Nuclear missiles require ultra-precise navigation, and IFOGs deliver just that, allowing the missile to follow its trajectory with remarkable precision.
The contract includes work for both the U.S. Navy and the United Kingdom Royal Navy. Draper Laboratory will execute tasks in Cambridge and Pittsfield, Massachusetts; East Aurora, New York; and Clearwater, Florida, with completion scheduled by February 2029.
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Technology and Capabilities of IFOGs
Interferometric fiber optic gyros are solid-state devices with a low-mass configuration, giving them several advantages for strategic missile applications. They offer high reliability and long lifetimes, can withstand intense shock and vibration, operate across a wide dynamic range, and require low power. These gyros also have a wide bandwidth, which helps maintain accurate measurements during rapid maneuvers.
Beyond missile applications, IFOGs have a broad range of uses. They are employed in automotive systems, aircraft, satellites, and helicopter attitude control. They also assist with satellite antenna pointing, tunneling operations, and mining projects. Draper Laboratory has adapted commercial technologies, such as fiber optics for gyroscopes and magneto resistive memory, to meet the stringent demands of submarine-launched missiles.
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Draper engineers are also upgrading the Trident II’s inertial measurement units, electronic assemblies, electronic modules, and mission-critical software. These upgrades fit within the existing space constraints of the missile, and the technologies are radiation-hardened to withstand the harsh conditions of strategic missile deployment.
Draper Ensures Long-Term Trident II Guidance Reliability
The Trident II D5 ranks among the most advanced long-range submarine-launched nuclear missiles in the world. The United States deploys it as a key component of its sea-based nuclear deterrent on Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. Each submarine carries up to 24 Trident II missiles, and each missile carries multiple warheads. Current international treaties limit each missile to four or five warheads.
The missile navigates using a combination of inertial and celestial systems, which allows it to operate without relying on external signals. The submarine’s computers transmit targeting information directly to the missile’s inertial measurement unit. The unit then communicates with the missile’s flight-control computer to generate steering commands, keeping the missile precisely on course.
Draper Laboratory has been leading the Trident II Life Extension Program, which began in 2002. The program focuses on replacing obsolete components with modern, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts where possible. This approach keeps costs manageable while maintaining the missile system’s effectiveness. Draper’s work ensures the Trident II remains operational through at least 2042.
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The upgrade includes a modular design approach, allowing Draper engineers to develop multiple solutions for higher-risk components simultaneously, including gyroscopes. This ensures that critical elements are robust and reliable, meeting the rigorous demands of nuclear missile deployment.
The Trident II missile, first deployed in 1990, has a range of 4,000 to 7,000 miles. With the upgrades provided by Draper Laboratory, including new IFOGs and supporting guidance systems, the missile will continue to serve as a reliable and precise strategic weapon for both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Draper’s expertise in inertial navigation and modular system design is central to maintaining the safety, reliability, and accuracy of the Trident II submarine-launched missiles.
