UGM-73 Poseidon

Development

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 their fiberglass 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.

Slightly longer and considerably wider and heavier than Polaris A3, Poseidon had the same 4600 km range, greater payload capacity, improved accuracy, and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability. MIRV capacity has been given as up to either ten{{Cite web

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 m above the surface.

The first test launch took place on 16 August 1968, the first successful at-sea launch was from a surface ship, the (from July 1 to December 16, 1969), earning the ship the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the first test launch from a submarine took place on the on 3 August 1970. The weapon officially entered service on 31 March 1971. It eventually equipped 31 -, -, and -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 adopted Chevaline, 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-equipped SSBNs were refitted with Trident I. By 1992, the Soviet Union had collapsed, 12 Ohio-class submarines had been commissioned, and the START I treaty had gone into effect, so the 31 older Poseidon- and Trident I-armed SSBNs were disarmed, withdrawing Poseidon from service.

Operators

• • United States Navy

Gallery

|File:W68_Mk3_reentry_body.jpg |The Mark 3 Reentry Body (RB) that would contain the W68 warhead carried by Poseidon. |File:US_missile_and_rocket_hallway_(navy).jpg |Mark 3 with objects for scale. |File:Poseidon C-3 Missile1.jpg |Poseidon missile on display at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. |File:Poseidon_C-3_Missile2.jpg |Poseidon missile post-boost vehicle (PBV) showing 14 locations for warheads though only 8 are outfitted with warhead equipment. |File:Polaris-Poseidon_family_of_SLBMs.jpg |Polaris-Poseidon family of SLBMs.

References

References

1. (1969-05-05). "Minutes of National Security Council Meeting".
2. [http://www.spaceline.org/rocketsum/poseidon-c3.html Poseidon C3 at Spaceline.com] {{webarchive. link. (2006-09-17)
3. [http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.92/missile_detail.asp Poseidon C3 at MissileThreat.com] {{webarchive. link. (2007-09-29)