The Trident submarine program is the most important defense project that the U.S. actually has under construction. At an estimated cost of $1.2 billion apiece, the 560-ft.-long Tridents, each armed with 24 missiles, are to begin replacing the 34 aging Polaris and Poseidon subs that now carry the nation's sea-based nuclear warheads. Started in 1971, the Trident program has been racked by stunning cost overruns, delays and an angry feud involving the Navy and the sub's builder, the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corp. By now the first Trident, the U.S.S....
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