Strategic Systems Programs

Welcome to the Department of Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP)! Since 1955, our organization has served a unique purpose: to provide the U.S. Navy’s strategic deterrence capabilities. When President Dwight D. Eisenhower instructed the Navy to pursue the construction of a solid propellant ballistic missile, former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Arleigh Burke handpicked our first-ever director, Rear Adm. “Red” Raborn. As a former naval aviator, Raborn was the catalyst for developing the Navy’s first submarine-launched ballistic missile. The missile, named Polaris for the constant North Star, was successfully launched 1,200 nautical miles aboard the first operational ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN 598) on July 20, 1960. Since then, our program has not only improved submarine-launched missile capabilities, but also provided cradle-to-grave lifecycle support through the Polaris, Poseidon, and current Trident Strategic Weapons Systems. Today, the men and women of SSP continue to deliver the full-spectrum of nuclear and nonnuclear strategic deterrence through the Trident Strategic Weapons Systems; development of Conventional Prompt Strike; development of  Sea-Launched Cruise Missile-Nuclear; and Nuclear Weapons Surety and Security. Click through to see some of our highlights from the past and present! #AmericasWarfightingNavy #SSP #Navy #AmericasNavy250 #strategicdeterrance #usn 📸 1: Director of Special Projects Office Rear Adm. William “Red” Raborn speaks with CNO Adm. Arleigh Burke in front of a cutaway model of a Polaris missile submarine. (U.S. Navy photo provided by U.S. Naval Institute) 📸 2: The first unarmed Polaris A1 Missile successfully launches from the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN 598) on July 20, 1960 off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fl. (U.S. Navy photo provided by Lt. Jennifer Bowman) 📸 3-4: President John F. Kennedy while onboard USS Observation Island (EAG-154) watches a demonstration of the firing of a Polaris A-2 missile off the coast of Florida. (U.S. Navy photo by Robert Knudsen) 📸 5: An unarmed Poseidon C3 missile launches from the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Henry Clay (SSBN 625) off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sept. 6, 1977. (U.S. Navy photo provided by Lt. Jennifer Bowman) 📸 6: U.S. Navy Sailors stand watch on the bridge aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) during Demonstration and Shakedown Operation-32 (DASO-32). (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 David Negron) 📸 7: Current Strategic Systems Programs Director Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe speaks to congressional representatives in Washington D.C. (U.S. Navy photo by Randy Tisor) 📸 8: The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) conducts a successful, unarmed launch of a Trident II D5LE missile in 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Andrea Perez)

Today, we celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the Polaris Sales Agreement (PSA) between the United Staes and the United Kingdom. The PSA is a bilateral international agreement which originally enabled the UK to purchase the Polaris strategic weapons system (SWS), minus warheads, from the U.S. It was amended in 1982 to allow the UK to purchase the next generation Trident II D5 missiles for its Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). Sales under the PSA continue to support the UK in maintaining its sovereign, independent strategic deterrent. The PSA is an example of one of the world’s strongest and most enduring international partnerships. The UK’s commitment to their sovereign, independent nuclear deterrent is a key pillar of our nations’ strategic partnership. 🤝 Strategic Systems Programs is responsible for sustaining Trident II D5LE SWS on the U.S. Ohio-class SSBNs and supporting the integration of the Trident II D5LE SWS on the new U.S. Columbia-class SSBNs. Our command is committed to working with the UK to support a safe, prosperous, and free security environment. #partnership #polarissalesagreement #anniversary #navy #usn #strategicdeterrence 

Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) wished fair winds and following seas to outgoing Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Major Program Manager Capt. Gregory Zettler in Washington D.C., on April 4, 2025. CPS aims to rapidly field a sea-based non-nuclear hypersonic weapon system that meets critical warfighting needs. Under Capt. Zettler’s leadership, CPS supported several critical flight and launch campaigns, including the Navy’s effort for the Army-led Joint Flight Campaign Resolve, which successfully demonstrated an end-to-end flight test of the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon System in December 2024. “People make the organization what it is; mission success hinges on workforce success,” said Vice Adm. Wolfe, Director of SSP. “Capt. Zettler has gone to great lengths to care for the people under his charge. I can tell, just by looking at the people who have joined us today, that you are leaving this program better than you found it, and that you are leaving your team stronger than it’s ever been.”  CPS directly contributes to the nation’s strategic deterrent capabilities. The incoming Major Program Manager for CPS is Capt. Gene Severtson, who joins the team as CPS continues on the road to providing a sea-based hypersonic capability for our warfighters. "CPS’s achievements rest squarely on each of your shoulders as the technical and programmatic experts who have been here since the beginning of this program and have worked every day to get this incredible capability closer to being in the hands of our warfighters,” Wolfe said.  “Thank you for the work you do, every day, to ensure our nation’s warfighting navy—and its warfighters—are equipped with the right capabilities. To the Severtson family, welcome. We are happy to have you join our SSP family.” 📸 Edvin Hernandez #Changeofcommand #Americaswarfightingnavy #usn #Navy #SSP #Conventionalpromptstrike #Navyleadership

ICYMI: Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) hosted a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on March 28, 2025! Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, the Director for Strategic Systems Programs, was the presiding officer at the event in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NOTU provides integrated testing and evaluation capabilities and solutions for Strategic Systems Programs in support of the Trident II D5 missile system. It directly supports the mission capability and readiness of the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class submarines as well as the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program of the United Kingdom through the Polaris Sales Agreement. NOTU operates the Navy Port at Port Canaveral, supporting more than 200 visits a year by submarines and surface ships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and foreign navies.

Did you know 132 years ago, the rank “chief petty officer,” was created?! Officially established on April 1, 1893, the rank “petty officer first class” was shifted to “chief petty officer,” and in 1958, per an amendment to the Career Compensation Act of 1949, two new ratings were added: senior chief (E8) and master chief (E9). Today, there are three chief petty officer ranks: chief petty officer (E7), senior chief petty officer, and master chief petty officer. Chiefs in the U.S. Navy possess valuable technical expertise, administrative skills, and leadership ability. They also act as an advocate for Sailors and bridge the gap between officers and enlisted personnel. At Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), we pay tribute🫡 to the legacy of Navy chiefs. To us, Chiefs at SSP are more than just a rank; they are the backbone of our team, guiding and mentoring our Sailors, Marines, and civilians, ensuring they are prepared for any challenge. On this day, we celebrate our chiefs’ unwavering support and contribution to our #strategicdetererrence mission. SSP is responsible for sustaining strategic weapon system (SWS) on the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) and supporting the integration of the D5LE weapon system on the new Columbia-class SSBNs. Looking to the future, SSP is integral to nuclear triad modernization with development of the D5LE2 SWS and creating the regional strike capabilities with the development of the nuclear sea launched cruise missile (SLCM-N) and the non-nuclear hypersonic conventional prompt strike system (CPS). To see a full list of Navy ranks, visit: https://lnkd.in/evgesVge. #usn #Navy #chiefpettyofficerbirthday #navyhistory #SSP #strategicdeterrence 📸 NHHC

Employees from Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), including its Field Activities and Program Management Offices, visited Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic in Kings Bay, Ga., on March 4, 2025. As part of the Newcomer On-boarding Workshop Program, new employees have the opportunity to tour the command’s Field Activities, which are scattered across the country, to support their understanding of our no-fail #strategicdeterrence mission! The trip down south included tours of a ballistic missile submarine and the facilities supporting our nation’s nuclear deterrence readiness. SSP is responsible for sustaining strategic weapon system (SWS) on the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) and supporting the integration of the D5LE weapon system on the new Columbia-class SSBNs. Looking to the future, SSP is integral to nuclear triad modernization with development of the D5LE2 SWS and creating the regional strike capabilities with the development of the nuclear sea launched cruise missile (SLCM-N) and the non-nuclear hypersonic conventional prompt strike system (CPS). 📸 Ashely Berumen

Breathe in, breathe out. Namaste.🧘♀️🧘The Civilian and Wellness Team offered a stress-reducing Yoga in the Workplace experience today! The brief (30-minute) session was led by Ashley Dolesh, a human resource specialist in SSP HR, and provided employees who participated the opportunity to learn new breathing exercises and boost their wellness factor to support mission success! #worklifebalance #yoga #SSP #strategicsystemsprograms 📸 Edvin Hernandez

Meet Zena Melaku, the director of Strategic Systems Programs’ (SSP) Enterprise Business Office. As a child, she was gifted in math and science, and developed a burning passion for STEM. “I initially went into undergrad with the intention of pursuing engineering because of my admiration for STEM,” Melaku said. “My parents were always supportive of math and science, and one of my most memorable toys was a children’s microscope that I used to examine butterfly wings and various plant specimens. After some time, I realized I also had an affinity for psychology and business management, which began to compete with my appetite for engineering. Luckily, attending undergrad opened my eyes to the possibility of multi-disciplinary pursuits, and I was able to consider applying the business of people to a STEM-focused organization.” In 2015, Melaku was offered a civil service job in SSP’s SPEBO Branch. She accepted the position and now, after almost 10 years at the command, she said she is still enjoying every minute of it! “I have had the opportunity to see first-hand what SSP does in support of our warfighters. The awesome thing about all of that was being able to see all the passion and pride everyone has for this very important mission – for strategic deterrence.” #strategicdeterrence #usn #employeespotlight #leadership #onenavy #navy Read her full story on our SSP Webpage 👇

Who’s hungry?! Our Chief Petty Officer Association (CPOA) coordinated this fantastic BBQ 🍗 fundraiser at our headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support future command-sponsored events. This is only one example of how we embrace our workforce and promote comradery and fellowship here at SSP! SSP’s CPOA is affiliated with the wider umbrella of Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Programs. Navy MWR provides funding and resources for events that support military and civilian morale. Click through to see some of our lunch time smiles! 😊 #CPOA #Strategicsystemsprograms #Navy #MWR #usn

Today, we welcomed students from the University of Maryland - A. James Clark School of Engineering to SSP headquarters in Washington D.C. to learn more about our civilian career tracks and internship opportunities! Industrial Engineer Fernandes Boyd and Developmental Employees Thomas Jones and Tyler Gregory shared their work experiences with prospective candidates, including what it’s like to support the Department of Navy (DoN) ⚓. SSP is at the forefront of #strategicdeterrence and the command is excited to introduce the next generation to the various civilian careers available at SSP and across DoN. The visit to SSP was a follow-on to the University of Maryland Career and Internship Fair in College Park, Maryland, last month, where SSP’s recruitment team had the opportunity to engage with aspiring engineers and business professionals. To read more about the event, visit the link below! #SSP #recruitment #usn #UMD #careers https://lnkd.in/e87m5HFf