The W93 warhead and Mk7 reentry body assembly are intended for the Navy’s submarine-launched ballistic missile fleet. The new phase will complete the production design and confirm that it can be manufactured to meet Navy requirements.
“W93/Mk7 will provide flexibility and adaptability to meet future Warfighter needs and ensure an uninterrupted at sea deterrent for the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad,” said Vice Adm. Douglas Williams, director of the Navy’s Portfolio Acquisition Executive Strategic Systems Programs. “We were able to accelerate our entry into this next phase because of the dedicated partnership between PAE SSP, National Nuclear Security Administration, and our industry base.”
The Navy is developing the W93/Mk7 with the National Nuclear Security Administration and its national laboratories. The work is being conducted through the interagency Nuclear Weapons Life Cycle process.
“Credible deterrence demands that we move with urgency, and the progress we’re making on W93/Mk7 demonstrates exactly that,” said Brandon Williams, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. “We will continue working together to deliver this capability to the fleet and ensure our sea-based strategic deterrent remains ready for the future.”
PAE SSP also sustains the strategic weapon system aboard Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. It supports the integration of the Trident II D5 Life Extension weapon system on the new Columbia-class submarines.
The organization is also developing the D5LE2 strategic weapon system. Its portfolio includes the SLCM-N sea-launched nuclear cruise missile and the non-nuclear Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic system.
