Charles Stark Draper Lab is Researching Guidance Tech for the Navy's Trident II Program
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory (CSDL), Cambridge, Massachusetts, is awarded an $83,424,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract N00030-20-C-0004 to provide research into the applications of technologies to meet guidance requirements for the U.S. Trident II (D5) Strategic Weapon System, and provide specialized technical knowledge for the guidance, navigation and control applications that will support Navy programs. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an expected completion date of September 30, 2021. Fiscal year 2020 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $40,239,000 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). CSDL has been the design agent for Navy Strategic Missile Guidance Systems since the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program inception in the late 1950's. CSDL possesses the unique knowledge of the total Trident Guidance system including its design and use on the Trident II weapon system. The purpose of a MK6 life extension effort also procured under this contract is to provide credible deterrence throughout the TRIDENT II weapon system's extended service life. The unique expertise and experience at CSDL makes them uniquely qualified to perform this life extension effort. No source other than CSDL has the technical capacity, facilities, and critical expertise, including comprehensive knowledge and understanding of design, to provide the engineering, program management, and repair and refurbishment support of deployed TRIDENT II MK6 missile guidance systems or the development of the MK6LE guidance systems. No other known source possesses similar capability, and no other institution possesses the combined, unique system test facilities, receives knowledge and overall experience to understand and resolve the issues associated with the Navy's TRIDENT II guidance and reentry mission. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.
