| UGM-73A Poseidon C3 | |
|---|---|
 A Poseidon missile lifts off after being launched from the submerged USSUlysses S. Grant (SSBN-631) in May 1979 | |
| Type | StrategicSLBM |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 31 March 1971 to September 1992 (Trident I phased in from October 1979) |
| Used by | United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Missiles Division |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 64,400 pounds (29,200 kg) |
| Length | 34.1 feet (10.4 m) |
| Diameter | 74 inches (1.9 m) |
| Warhead | 10 or 14W68 warheads in Mark 3 RVs; 40 kilotonnes of TNT (170 TJ)[1] |
| Engine | Two-stagesolid-fuel rocket, each single nozzle withthrust vectoring |
Operational range | With 14RVs: 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km), with 10 RVs: 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km) |
| Maximum speed | 8,000 mph (13,000 km/h) (terminal phase) |
Guidance system | Inertial |
| Accuracy | 0.3 nautical miles (560 m)CEP |
TheUGM-73 Poseidon missile was the secondUS Navynuclear-armedsubmarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) system, powered by atwo-stagesolid-fuel rocket. It succeeded theUGM-27 Polaris beginning in 1972, bringing major advances in warheads and accuracy. It was followed byTrident I in 1979, andTrident II in 1990.
A development study for a longer range version of the Polaris missile—achieved by enlarging it to the maximum possible size allowed by existing launch tubes—started in 1963. Tests had already shown that Polaris missiles could be operated without problems in launch tubes that had theirfiberglass liners and locating rings removed.
The project was given the title Polaris B3 in November, but the missile was eventually named Poseidon C3 to emphasize the technical advances over its predecessor. The C3 was the only version of the missile produced, and it was also given the designation UGM-73A.[3]
Slightly longer and considerably wider and heavier than Polaris A3, Poseidon had the same 4,600 kilometres (2,500 nmi) range, greater payload capacity, improved accuracy, andmultiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability. MIRV capacity has been given as up to either ten[4] or fourteenW68 thermonuclear warheads[2] contained in Mark 3 reentry vehicles to multiple targets.
As with Polaris, starting a rocket motor when the missile was still in the submarine was considered very dangerous. Therefore, the missile was ejected from its launch tube using high pressure steam produced by a solid-fueled boiler. The main rocket motor ignited automatically when the missile had risen approximately 10 metres (33 ft) above the submarine.
The first test launch took place on 16 August 1968, the first successful at-sea launch was from a surface ship, theUSNS Observation Island (from July 1 to December 16, 1969), earning the ship theMeritorious Unit Commendation, and the first test launch from a submarine took place on theUSS James Madison on 3 August 1970. The weapon officially entered service on 31 March 1971. It eventually equipped 31Lafayette-,James Madison-, andBenjamin Franklin-class submarines.
The Royal Navy also considered adopting Poseidon in the 1970s as an upgrade to its Polaris A3T boats, and like the US this would have kept the existing hulls. Although the Navy's favoured option, the British government instead adoptedChevaline, a two warhead MRV system with decoys, on the existing Polaris airframes and later moved to the Trident D5 in new boats.
Beginning in 1979, 12 Poseidon-equippedSSBNs were refitted withTrident I. By 1992, theSoviet Union had collapsed, 12Ohio-class submarines had been commissioned, and theSTART I treaty had gone into effect, so the 31 older Poseidon- and Trident I-armed SSBNs were disarmed, withdrawing Poseidon from service.
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