The Navy and U.S. Strategic Command have begun reviewing the requirement for a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, a prelude to commencing a major acquisition to develop and field a follow-on to the Trident II (D5) missile. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, published last month, said the Navy will begin studies in 2020 to define a "cost-effective, credible, and effective SLBM" that can be deployed through 2084, the end of the planned service life of the new Columbia-class submarine fleet. Defense...
