UK's Trident missile launch failure cover-up

[Bob]

Number 10 Downing Street cover-up

Theresa May refuses FOUR TIMES to say if she knew of failed test (test failed last June)

• Malfunction occurred just weeks before key Commons vote on Trident renewal
• But Downing Street imposed a 'news blackout' about the failed test last June
• Lord West says decision not to disclose it was 'extraordinary' and 'bizarre'
• Missile was fired from HMS Vengeance during test in June near coast of Florida
• PM accused of omitting any reference to failed test and dodged questions today
• Ministers will be forced to make urgent statement to Parliament tomorrow

22 January 2017 from the Daily Mail, UK

"The former head of the Royal Navy blasted No10 today over its 'bizarre and stupid' decision to 'cover up' a major malfunction in the UK's Trident nuclear missile deterrent and said it made Britain look like North Korea.

"It was claimed last night that Downing Street imposed a 'news blackout' about the failed test just weeks before a crucial Commons vote on the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent.

"Today Theresa May refused four times to say if she knew about a major malfunction in the UK's Trident nuclear missile deterrent.

"But Admiral Lord West, who led the Navy from 2002-2006 and later served as a security minister, said the decision not to admit the failed test was 'extraordinary'.

"The PM is facing calls to 'come clean' about what she knew about the botched test by giving a statement to Parliament tomorrow. However it is more likely to be Defence Secretary Michael Fallon who will make the statement to MPs.

"A Trident II D5 missile veered off course during a test last June near the coast of Florida last June, the Sunday Times reported. "

The missile was supposed to head towards Africa, however, it ended up heading towards the US, Florida to be specific.

The PM was accused of omitting any reference to the failed test when the Commons voted in July to spend £31billion on four new Trident submarines.

Today she repeatedly avoided direct questions on her knowledge of the test, simply saying she had 'absolute faith in our Trident missiles'.

Lord West hit out at ministers and officials over their failure to disclose the episode and said it was probably the work of some 'silly' special adviser [Spad] trying to be 'clever'.

The TRIDENT missile is part of the UK's Nuclear deterrent force. It is designed to be launched from a submarine.

(more)



Understanding what a TRIDENT missile is:

Designation: UGM-133 Trident II

Weight 130,000 lb (59,000 kg)
Length 44 ft 6.6 in (13.579 m)
Diameter 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) (1st stage)
Warhead 8-12 thermonuclear MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable re-entry Vehicle); Maneuverable Re-entry Vehicle, W88 or W76 thermonuclear weapons

What is a W88 or W76 atomic weapon?

Roughly 1/2 a megaton TNT equivalent

A single Trident missile then could have on average yield (through the MIRV concept) 5 megatons (million tons) per missile capacity.

Comparisons

Hiroshima bomb yield 16 thousand tons TNT equivalent blast force
Nagasaki bomb yleid 21 thousand tons TNT equivalent blast force

A single W88 blast effects:



If UK targeted Moscow, what would the blast from ONE W88 thermonuclear warhead explosion look like?



An attack Scenario:

If an EMP high altitude AIR BURST (stratospheric) were performed first, all of the non-electromagnetically hardened infrastructure (powerlines, cellphone, computers) vehicle electric systems, refrigeration for foodstores, etc. would go down, creating mass chaos. Subsequent TRIDENT MIRV launches on strategic targets would then occur.

UK said, well, the missile which was headed for FLORIDA was not armed..

Prime Minister May is expected soon to meet with President Trump.

What is the known UK Nuclear submarine fleet?

Britain's nuclear weapons deterrent - It consists of four Vanguard-class submarines which can carry up to 16 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, each armed with up to eight nuclear warheads.

Each UK submarine then could be outfitted with about about 80 megatons of nuclear strike force power. The UK's submarine fleet then without reloading would have about 320 megatons of nuclear strike force power.

[Bob]

The UK Vanguard Class of nuclear submarine -

HMS Vanguard (S28) Ballistic Missile Submarine (as of 1994), is the leader of the Fleet. Electric boat names: Vanguard, Victorious, Vigilant and Vengeance.

The nuclear power source was designed to run for 25 years without any fuel replacement, allowing the range to be virtually unlimited. The four Vanguard submarines are the sole platforms for the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons.

The submarines are fitted with four 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and carry the Spearfish heavyweight torpedo, allowing them to engage submerged or surface targets at ranges up to 65 kilometres (40 mi; 35 nmi). Two SSE Mark 10 launchers are also fitted, allowing the boats to deploy Type 2066 and Type 2071 decoys, and a UAP Mark 3 electronic support measures (ESM) intercept system is carried. (SpearFish torpedo is a high explosive, non-nuclear device, weapon, guided by wire or autonomous navigation).

UK has not stated that it carries torpedoes with nuclear devices. In the U.S.S.R. and U.S. submarine navies during the cold war, nuclear torpedoes replaced some conventionally weaponized torpedoes.

The U.S.S.R. developed the T15, the T5 and the ASB-30. The only nuclear warhead torpedo used by the United States was the Mark 45 torpedo.

In 2015, there were rumors that Russia was developing a new nuclear torpedo, the Status-6 (with an effective yield of up to 100 megatons of TNT explosive power equivalent). This device appears to be a torpedo-shaped robotic mini-submarine, that can travel at speeds of 100 knots(185.2 km/h) although more recent information suggests a top speed of 56 knots(103.712 km/h), with a range of 6,200 miles(9,978 km) and a depth maximum of 3,280 feet(0.99974 km). This underwater drone is cloaked by stealth technology to elude acoustic tracking devices.

This weapon, "Status-6" is designed to create a tsunami wave up to 500m tall that will radioactively contaminate a wide area on an enemy coasts with cobalt-60, and to be immune to anti-missile defense systems such as laser weapons and railguns that might disable an ICBM.

The Soviet Union widely deployed T5 nuclear torpedoes in 1958 and the U.S. deployed its Mark 45 torpedo in 1963.


(source)

The upgrade/replacement to the Vanguard series is known as the UK DreadNought series:

The Dreadnought class is the replacement for the Vanguard class of ballistic missile submarines which entered service in the United Kingdom in the 1990s with an intended service life of 25 years.

They will carry Trident D-5 missiles – the vehicle for delivering the UK's nuclear weapons. Replacing the Vanguard submarines is necessary if the Royal Navy is to maintain a "continuous at-sea deterrent" (CASD), the principle of operation behind the Trident system.

The Dreadnought class, will retain the current Trident II missiles, and will incorporate a new 'PWR3' nuclear reactor as well as technology developed for the Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarines of the Royal Navy.

In May 2011 the government approved the initial assessment phase for the new submarines and authorised the purchase of long lead-time items including steel for the hulls. In May 2015 the Conservative Party won the UK General Election on a manifesto which included a commitment to maintaining a CASD with four Successor submarines.

The final decision to commit to the Successor programme was approved on 18 July 2016 when the House of Commons voted to renew Trident by 472 votes to 117.

Construction started in late 2016 at the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard operated by BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines.

The first submarine is originally expected to enter service in 2028.

Successor has generated controversy because of its cost and also as some political parties and campaign groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) or Trident Ploughshares oppose the retention of CASD or any nuclear weapons by the UK on moral or financial grounds.

Previously named Successor class, it was officially announced on 21 October 2016 (to mark Trafalgar Day) that the first of class would be named Dreadnought, and that the class would be the Dreadnought class.

The next three boats will also be given names with "historical resonance".

(source)

==firepower downgrade==

The Vanguard-class submarines are equipped with 16 ballistic missile tubes.

However, as of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the Royal Navy only loads eight of the missile tubes with the Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles, each armed with eight nuclear warheads.

In order to reduce costs and show Britain's commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Blair suggested that submarine numbers could be cut from four to three, while the number of nuclear warheads would be cut by 20% to 160.

On 23 September 2009, then Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed that this reduction to three submarines was still under consideration.

In February 2011, the Defence Secretary Liam Fox stated that four submarines would be needed if the UK was to retain a credible nuclear deterrent.

On 18 May 2011 the British government approved the initial assessment phase for the construction of a new class of four submarines, paving the way for the ordering of the first long-lead items and preparations for the main build to begin in the future.

This new class of submarine, now known as the Dreadnought class, will retain the current Trident II missiles.

How Dreadnought submarines will be loaded with the newer Trident missiles has yet to be revealed.

[Bob]

What are the spec's on the Trident 2, D5 ? (such as range and altitude)

Specifications

Unit cost: US$ 37.3 million
Range: With full load 7,840 kilometres (4,230 nmi);
with reduced load approx. 7,456 mi (12,000 km) (exact is classified)

Maximum speed: Approximately 18,030 mph (29,020 km/h) (Mach 24) (terminal phase)

Guidance system: The MK 6 Astro-inertial guidance navigation system which is able to receive GPS (Global Positioning System) updates.

Warhead (in US usage only): The Mark 5 MIRV can carry up to 14 W88 (475 kt) warheads, while the Mark 4 MIRV can also carry 14 W76 (100 kt) warheads.

START I (weapons reduction Treaty) reduced this to eight.

New START provides for further reductions in deployed launch vehicles, limiting the number of Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) to 288, and the number of deployed SLBM warheads to a total of 1,152.

Warhead (in UK usage): Under a 1958 agreement the USA supplies the UK with blueprints of its own warhead designs but the design, manufacture and maintenance of UK warheads are purely a UK responsibility.

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston constantly manufactures (and along with the maintenance and remanufacturing plant at Burghfield) a range of warheads of varying yield for fitting to Trident II missiles while pursuing ongoing research into new and improved warheads.

Between 2005-2008 a £1.1bn programme was undertaken to simulate and validate the safety and operation of the entire stockpile in to the mid 2020's without underground testing.

The AWE has contributed scientists and £85m to the development of the Mk4A arming, fusing, and firing system at Sandia with the intention UK production at Aldermaston and fitting to existing warheads would commence in the latter half of the 2010's. The

AWE is currently researching a fundamentally new warhead design to replace the existing design from the mid 2020's.

(source)

What possibly lead to the guidance error for the UK test in June?

Once the launch command is given, expanding gas within the launch tube forces the missile upward, and out of the submarine.

Within seconds, the missile breaches the surface of the water and the first-stage Thrust Vectoring Control (TVC) subsystem ignites.

This enables hydraulic actuators attached to the first-stage nozzle.

Soon after, the first-stage motor ignites and burns for approximately 65 seconds until the fuel is expended; in addition, an aerospike atop the missile deploys shortly after first-stage ignition to shape airflow. When the first-stage motor ceases operation, the second-stage TVC subsystem ignites.

The first-stage motor is then ejected by ordnance within the interstage casing.

Once the first stage is cleared, the second-stage motor ignites and burns for approximately 65 seconds.

The nose fairing is then jettisoned, separating from the missile. When the nose fairing is cleared of the missile, the third-stage TVC subsystem ignites, and ordnance separates the second-stage motor.

The third-stage motor then ignites, pushing the equipment section the remaining distance (approx. 40 seconds) of the flight. When the third-stage motor reaches the targeted area, the Post Boost Control System (PBCS) ignites, and the third-stage motor is ejected.

The astro-inertial guidance uses star positioning to fine-tune the accuracy of the inertial guidance system after launch.

As the accuracy of a missile is dependent upon the guidance system knowing the exact position of the missile at any given moment during its flight, the fact that stars are a fixed reference point from which to calculate that position makes this a potentially very effective means of improving accuracy.

In the Trident system this was achieved by a single camera that was trained to spot just one star in its expected position. If it was not quite aligned to where it should be it would indicate that the inertial system was not precisely on target and a correction would be made.

The equipment section, with the MIRV, then aims the reentry vehicles (RV) towards earth.

The payload is then released from the MIRV platform. To prevent the PBCS correctional thrust from interfering with the RV when released, the equipment section initiates the Plume Avoidance Maneuver (PAM).

If the RV will be disrupted by the PBCS nozzle's thrust, the nearest nozzle will shut off until the RV is away from the MIRV. The PAM is used only when a nozzle's plume will disrupt the area near an RV.

The PAM is a specialized design feature added to the Trident II to increase accuracy.

Known inherent problems with the GPS system, (never fixed): My belief is the GPS system provided the "failure" based on the built-in 'flaw'. (GPS is known to fail miserably under certain conditions as has been reported by numerous users over the years). https://www.google.com/search?q=GPS+...q=GPS+failures

[Sequoia]

https://sputniknews.com/europe/20170...dent-cover-up/

"In its report, the newspaper indicated that the unarmed, nuclear-capable Trident missile "experienced an alarming failure" following a test launch from a British submarine off the coast of Florida. Instead of heading across the Atlantic as planned, the weapon veered and headed dangerously toward the US mainland before splashing down in the water."

[Chris411]

Such a waste on both sides of the battle front to have this huge technological prowess in the service of evil.... One is left speechless by what could be achieved if this money was to be spent for the betterment of humanity. Let's hope for all of us that this spiral of craziness will grind soon to a halt.

[Bob]

On the failure in June -

"These are known as a 'demonstration and shakedown' test.

This test was in June (2016) under the last prime minister (David Cameron).

On taking office the current Prime Minister (Theresa May) was briefed on a range of nuclear issues, including this.

This test saw the submarine and crew successfully tested and certified."

The box: Daniel Martyn Commanding Officer of HMS Vigilant next to a safe that contains the Prime Minister's last resort instructions

The 38-year-old father of three has spent 16 years training for the moment when Vigilant’s commanding officer, Commander Dan Martyn, utters the words ‘missiles for strategic launch’.

When that order is given, Lt Cdr Woods will have no idea of his location, what is happening in the world, or what the target is. But he knows that he will hold the grip – modelled on a Colt 45 Peacemaker handgun – and press the trigger without hesitation.

Speaking yesterday for the first time about his role, Lt Cdr Woods, whose first name cannot be given, said: ‘It is a combination of an honour and a burden. Knowing what could be on your hands is obviously a heavy load to deal with, but at the same time, our political masters trust us to deliver the deterrent.’

Asked if he was ready to press the trigger, Lt Cdr Woods said: ‘Ultimately, yes. We have to act on the orders of our political lords and masters.

‘When we are at sea, we don’t know the whole story and we have to trust that they know what they are doing.

‘If we are in the position of launching it, then ultimately deterrence has failed. It is important that no one person on board the submarine has the ability to control and launch on their own. He [the commanding officer] has part of the jigsaw puzzle, I have the other half.’

Walking through: Strategic Missile Officer Lt Benson in the missiles compartment that can house up to 16 Trident 2 D5 nuclear missiles



Test run: Engineering Technician Jones is pictured wearing an emergency breathing system in the control room on board HMS Vigilant

[conk]

The Trident seems to be a much used symbol. It's everywhere and tied to the esoteric and mysterious. Does it represent the number 3, so very often associated with everything from The Holy Trinity to '3,6, &9' math models to Freemasons?