SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) along with the U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) conducted successful test flights of two Trident II D5 Missiles, March 26.The unarmed test missiles were launched as part of Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) 28 in the Pacific Test Range off the coast of Southern California.The missiles were launched as a double mission test and were the key element of DASO 28, which marked the 166th and 167th successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile since its introduction to the fleet in 1989. The primary objective of the DASO is to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the SSBN's strategic weapon system and crew before operational deployment following midlife refueling overhaul.
Apparently one of the lesser known Chinese small sat launcher start-ups has flown something over the von Karman line yesterday. The company is named i-Space (not sure of their full English name as all reports I have seen are in Chinese)
The rocket appears to be about 0.90+-0.05 m dia consistent with the DF-11 or possibly the DF-15. Seems very unlikely they developed their own solid motor, so maybe surplused missile motors from DF-11 stock?
Zvezda says Russian Borei-class SSBN test-launched four ballistic missiles from White Sea across Russia to Kamchatka. https://m.tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/201805221948-fau0.htm/ …Apparently first Borei “volley” launch. US SSBNs normally launch 1-4 SLBMs.