Originally Posted by
Dan Gerous
Out of curiosity, would the sub firing the Trident be the one with the telemetry mast fitted, and can a Trident be launched from the surface, or would it be fired sub surface then the sub surface and the mast raised?
The DASO mast is not a normal piece of kit for either US or UK SSBNs. It is fitted only for the DASO missile test and then removed. Yes, the sub with the DASO mast so fitted is the sub that fires the missile. Launching from the surface defeats the whole purpose of being a submarine. For the DASO test, the sub is submerged at launch depth, which allows the top portion of the mast to remain about the surface providing connectivity with other test range assets. The DASO missile test is used only (at least for the US) for the ship/crew to gain/re-gain certification; i.e., new construction or after an overhaul.