Jay Clemens
Lockheed Martin-built ballistic missiles with 3D-printed components have completed U.S. Navy-led test flights in support of efforts to accelerate the missile manufacturing process.
Lockheed Martin engineers built the connector backshell component with an aluminum alloy that works to protect cable connectors in the Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missiles, Lockheed said Friday.
Eric Scherff, vice president of fleet ballistic missile programs at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, said the test flights aim to check system readiness and reliability.
During the tests, the Navy fired the missiles in the Atlantic Ocean from a submerged submarine as part of a follow-on evaluation of the Trident Strategic Weapon System.
Lockheed said it configured the missiles for the tests with range safety and flight telemetry tools.
