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Celebrating 124 Years of U.S. Navy Submarines: How SSP Supports the Warfighter, Maintains an Unmatched Strategic Deterrent

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 20, 1960) – The first unarmed Polaris A1 Missile successfully launches from the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN 598) off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This inaugural launch came just four years after the Navy and industry teams began researching and developing this capability. Today, the Sea-Based Strategic Deterrence mission continues. The current generation of submarine launched ballistic missile—the Trident II D5/D5LE—along with the Intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear capable bombers create the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrence capability. The triad of capabilities – SLBMs, ICBMs and nuclear capable bombers – are each undergoing modernization to ensure our nation’s ability to serve as the backbone of our nation’s security. The U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) mission remains ever vital for the safety and security of the U.S. and her citizens at home and abroad. (Photo Courtesy: U.S. National Archives/Released)