Post by Carl LaFong on Feb 21, 2024 13:23:10 GMT
Trident missile test fails for second time in a row.
The test firing of a Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine has failed, for the second time in a row.
The latest test of the UK's nuclear deterrent was from HMS Vanguard and was seen by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The missile's booster rockets failed and it landed in the sea close to the launch site, according to the Sun, which first reported the malfunction.
Mr Shapps said he has "absolute confidence" in Trident's submarines, missiles and nuclear warheads.
The test-fired missile was not armed with its warheads.
This is highly embarrassing for both the UK and the US manufacturer of the Trident missile.
British tests of Trident missiles are rare, not least because of the cost. Each missile is worth around £17m and the last test in 2016 also ended in failure when the missile veered off course.
What is Trident and how does it work?
Both Mr Shapps and the head of the Navy were on board HMS Vanguard when it fired the unarmed test missile in January.
The submarine had just had a more than seven-year refit.
In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Shapps confirmed "an anomaly did occur" during the test on 30 January this year, but said Trident is"the most reliable weapons system in the world". Oh fuck off you clown. Who are you trying to kid?!😒
He said: "The test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK's nuclear deterrent, in which the government has absolute confidence. The submarine and crew were successfully certified and will rejoin the operational cycle as planned.
"On this occasion, an anomaly did occur, but it was event specific and there are no implications for the reliability of the wider Trident missile systems and stockpiles.
"Nor are there any implications for our ability to fire our nuclear weapons, should the circumstances arise in which we need to do so."
He added Trident remained "effective, dependable, and formidable."…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68355395
The test firing of a Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine has failed, for the second time in a row.
The latest test of the UK's nuclear deterrent was from HMS Vanguard and was seen by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The missile's booster rockets failed and it landed in the sea close to the launch site, according to the Sun, which first reported the malfunction.
Mr Shapps said he has "absolute confidence" in Trident's submarines, missiles and nuclear warheads.
The test-fired missile was not armed with its warheads.
This is highly embarrassing for both the UK and the US manufacturer of the Trident missile.
British tests of Trident missiles are rare, not least because of the cost. Each missile is worth around £17m and the last test in 2016 also ended in failure when the missile veered off course.
What is Trident and how does it work?
Both Mr Shapps and the head of the Navy were on board HMS Vanguard when it fired the unarmed test missile in January.
The submarine had just had a more than seven-year refit.
In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Shapps confirmed "an anomaly did occur" during the test on 30 January this year, but said Trident is"the most reliable weapons system in the world". Oh fuck off you clown. Who are you trying to kid?!😒
He said: "The test reaffirmed the effectiveness of the UK's nuclear deterrent, in which the government has absolute confidence. The submarine and crew were successfully certified and will rejoin the operational cycle as planned.
"On this occasion, an anomaly did occur, but it was event specific and there are no implications for the reliability of the wider Trident missile systems and stockpiles.
"Nor are there any implications for our ability to fire our nuclear weapons, should the circumstances arise in which we need to do so."
He added Trident remained "effective, dependable, and formidable."…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68355395
