Failure Of First Submarine Test Launch Of Trident II-D5 (PEM-1)

December 13, 1986 USS Tennessee (SSBN 734), the first Trident II (D5) submarine, was launched during ceremonies at Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Groton, Conn. Mrs. Landess Kelso, wife of Admiral Frank B. Kelso, Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, was the ship’s sponsor. March 21, 1988 - The Navy’s first Trident II Performance Evaluation Missile (PEM-1) was launched from USS Tennessee off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla. As a result of the failure of this flight test, several modifications were made to strengthen and protect the first-stage nozzle.