General Dynamics

General Dynamics is the US’ leading producer of nuclear submarines, including the infamous Trident ballistic missile submarine. The nuclear-powered Trident submarines are the core component of the sea-based element of the United States “strategic deterrent forces.” Each submarine carries six Trident II missiles, each of which in turn carry six nuclear warheads, for a total of 144 warheads per sub. Most of the warheads are about 100 kilotons, seven times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Some of the warheads are around 450 kilotons, or 30 times the Hiroshima bomb.

Since the release of the US Nuclear Posture Review and the announcement of the Prompt Global Strike Mission in 2001, Trident submarines have been subject to a number of upgrades including adaptability for cruise missiles and the new Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile which is equipped with a 1,000-pound conventional payload capable of hitting a target 1,200 miles away within 15 minutes of being launched.

General Dynamics' contributions to these submarines include the following contracts:

1. A General Dynamics subsidiary, Electric Boat, receives regular contracts from the US Navy for nuclear engineering services. Its facility in Groton, CT, maintains and operates nuclear reactors propulsion systems for Los Angeles, Trident, and Seawolf submarines, and the nuclear research submarine NR-1.

2. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is contracted to produce missile launcher subsystems for Trident submarines. The hardware and software included in the package monitor the submarines’ missile tubes and control the launching of missiles.

3. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is also contracted to help the Navy upgrade its nuclear submarines’ weapons systems to the new Trident II D5 missiles. The company is converting the weapons laboratories at the Navy’s Trident Training Facility in Bangor, WA to become fully D5-capable. The naval base in Bangor, which houses 2,364 nuclear warheads, is home to the largest stockpile (about 24%) in the US arsenal.

4. General Dynamics also designs, develops, and produces the Attack Weapon Control System for Trident submarines, extending the life of the ships and increasing their ability to attack and destroy targets abroad.

For more information on Trident and the Bangor base, see:

Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, http://www.gzcenter.org/

Glen Milner, “Bangor an indicator of military intentions,” Seattle PI, 19 March 2007. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/307863_firstperson19.html

This fact sheet was prepared by Ray Acheson, Reaching Critical Will of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.