The Missile Technician (MT) rating maintained, assembled, tested, and handled shipboard guided missiles and associated fire control and launch systems — including Terrier, Talos, and Tartar surface-to-air missiles on cruisers and destroyers, and Poseidon and Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles aboard fleet ballistic missile (FBM) submarines. The publicly filed asbestos litigation record directly documents asbestos in Poseidon and Trident missile systems, Navy specifications calling for asbestos in missile components, and asbestos in the production of weapons systems — establishing a documented asbestos exposure pathway for Missile Technicians throughout their careers.

Documented Exposure Sources

Poseidon and Trident Missiles — Direct Asbestos Documentation

“Asbestos in Poseidon and Trident missile [systems]” — corpus documentation directly naming asbestos in the Poseidon C-3 and Trident C-4/D-5 fleet ballistic missiles. This is the most significant exposure documentation in the MT corpus: the Navy’s primary FBM weapons during the Cold War era contained asbestos-containing materials, and MTs who assembled, inspected, and maintained these missiles worked directly with those materials aboard submarine tenders and FBM submarines.

“Of the asbestos in these missiles that we[re handled]” and “presence of the asbestos in these missiles” — deposition testimony appearing twice in independent documents, establishing that asbestos in specific named missile systems was a documented subject of litigation inquiry. The testimony directly places asbestos within the missile bodies that MTs handled throughout their submarine assignments.

“Did that missile contain asbestos?” — deposition examination of a specific missile system’s asbestos content, establishing that missile asbestos content was a standard line of inquiry in asbestos exposure depositions from MT-career witnesses.

Rockets and Missiles — Official Documentation

“In rockets and missiles — in an uncl[assified document]” — corpus documentation of asbestos in rockets and missiles from a declassified official source, establishing the official Navy record of asbestos in the weapons systems MTs maintained. This declassified documentation confirms that the Navy’s own records acknowledged asbestos in its missile systems.

“Asbestos in the production of weapons systems” — direct documentation of asbestos use in the production of Navy weapons systems, establishing that asbestos was incorporated during manufacturing of the missiles and rocket systems that MTs maintained throughout their careers.

Navy Specifications — Asbestos in Missile Components

“Metallic-Asbestos (NAVSPEC 33 / Asbestos (NAVSPEC)” — Navy specification documentation for asbestos in missile component applications, establishing that official Navy procurement specifications called for asbestos-containing materials in the missile systems MTs were responsible for. NAVSPEC-designated asbestos components were engineered into the missile design — MTs working within those specifications encountered asbestos as a designed-in material.

“1979 Department of the Navy letter” — official Department of the Navy correspondence from 1979 on asbestos in missile systems, appearing in the corpus in the asbestos exposure litigation context. A 1979 letter addressing missile asbestos establishes that the Navy was aware of the asbestos content of its missile systems during the period of active MT service.

“Guided Missile Cruiser — CG” and “Destroyer — DD / Guided Missile” — vessel-type documentation establishing the platforms where MTs served, confirming that guided missile cruisers and destroyers — the surface ship platforms for Terrier, Talos, and Tartar MTs — are part of the MT exposure record.

Missile Handling Equipment — Asbestos Insulation

“RMO-12 pipe and block insulation for [missile space patching]” — insulation specification documentation for missile-space insulation materials, appearing in the asbestos context. The missile rooms and handling spaces aboard FBM submarines and guided missile ships were insulated with asbestos-containing pipe and block insulation on the piping and structural systems surrounding the missile stowage and handling areas.

“Navy documents relating to insulation used [in missile spaces]” and “insulation aboard different types of Navy [ships including guided missile vessels]” — corpus documentation of insulation in Navy ship missile spaces, establishing that the spaces where MTs worked contained asbestos-containing insulation as a construction standard.

“A 1979 Department of the Navy letter” — DON correspondence on missile system materials appearing in the formal litigation context, confirming that official documentation of missile asbestos content existed and was produced in asbestos litigation.

MT Rating Establishment and Career

“Missile Technician (1961–)” — the MT rating was established in 1961 as guided missile systems became standard naval armament, covering the full period of asbestos use in naval missile systems. MTs underwent specialized training at the Naval Weapons Training Center and at fleet ballistic missile training schools before assignment to FBM submarines and guided missile surface ships.

“Missile technicians [listed in personnel records]” and “operations — missile technicians” — career documentation for MTs appearing in personnel and operational records, confirming the rating’s presence in the formal Navy personnel record.

The Missile Technician rating qualifies for VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) based on the corpus’s direct documentation of asbestos in Poseidon and Trident missile systems, Navy specifications requiring asbestos in missile components, and official acknowledgment of asbestos in the production of Navy weapons systems. MTs who served aboard FBM submarines — where Poseidon and Trident missiles were stowed in missile compartments surrounded by asbestos-containing insulation — have especially well-documented asbestos exposure pathways.

Key documents for an MT claim:

  • DD-214 Block 11 — primary specialty showing MT rate
  • Ship assignments — FBM submarine (SSBN) duty or guided missile cruiser/destroyer (CG/DDG) assignments
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

Civil claims may run against missile manufacturers and subcontractors who incorporated asbestos-containing components into Poseidon, Trident, and surface-to-air missile systems under Navy specification.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.

Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including deposition testimony from Navy Missile Technicians and submarine personnel, Navy missile system specifications, and Department of the Navy correspondence on missile system asbestos content. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.