UGM-27 Polaris SLBM

The U.S. UGM-27 Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was the product of a rapidly paced and highly successful development program. It was succeeded in the U.S. Navy by the Poseidon and Trident SLBMs and in the Royal Navy by Trident SLBMs.

Development of the Polaris missile began in late 1955 after the Navy had attempted to join the U.S. Army in the development of the liquid-propellant Jupiter missile for shipboard use. The Polaris was based on the estimated...