M51 SLBM
Encyclopedia
The M51 SLBM is a submarine-launched ballistic missile
, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy
. Designed to replace the M45
SLBM (In French terminology the MSBS - Mer-Sol-Balistique-Stratégique “Sea-ground-Strategic ballistic”, it was first deployed in 2010.
Each missile carries six to ten independently targetable TN 75
thermonuclear warhead
s.
The three-stage engine of the M51 is directly derived from the solid propellant boosters of Ariane 5
.
The missiles are a compromise over the M5 SLBM design, which is to have a range of 11000 km (6,835.1 mi) and carry 10 TNO MIRV of the new generation (Tête Nucléaire Océanique, “Oceanic nuclear warhead”). The M51 will enter service in 2010.
in Biscarrosse
(Landes). The target was reached twenty minutes later, in the north-west of the Atlantic Ocean.
A second and third successful test were carried out on 21 June 2007 and 13 November 2008 .
On 27 January 2010, at 9h25, a missile was launched underwater by the Terrible, from Audierne Bay. The missile reached its target 2000 kilometres off South Carolina
; the 4500 kilometre flight took less than 20 minutes .
The 10 July 2010 test validated the Triomphant class submarine capacity to launch a M51 in operational conditions.
Submarine-launched ballistic missile
A submarine-launched ballistic missile is a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead that can be launched from submarines. Modern variants usually deliver multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles each of which carries a warhead and allows a single launched missile to...
, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation, and deployed with the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
. Designed to replace the M45
M45 SLBM
The M45 SLBM is the current standard French Navy's submarine launched ballistic missile...
SLBM (In French terminology the MSBS - Mer-Sol-Balistique-Stratégique “Sea-ground-Strategic ballistic”, it was first deployed in 2010.
Each missile carries six to ten independently targetable TN 75
TN 75
The TN 75 is a French-built thermonuclear warhead used on France's M45 SLBM submarine-launched ballistic missiles, carried by the last of the Redoutable class submarines, S616 Inflexible, and by the Triomphant class submarines. The French Navy has 290 TN-75 warheads...
thermonuclear warhead
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s.
The three-stage engine of the M51 is directly derived from the solid propellant boosters of Ariane 5
Ariane 5
Ariane 5 is, as a part of Ariane rocket family, an expendable launch system used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit or low Earth orbit . Ariane 5 rockets are manufactured under the authority of the European Space Agency and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales...
.
The missiles are a compromise over the M5 SLBM design, which is to have a range of 11000 km (6,835.1 mi) and carry 10 TNO MIRV of the new generation (Tête Nucléaire Océanique, “Oceanic nuclear warhead”). The M51 will enter service in 2010.
Flight tests
The M51 performed its first flight test (unarmed) on 9 November 2006 from the French missile flight test centreCentre d'Essais des Landes
The Centre d'Essais des Landes is a launch site for the test of military rockets and for launching sounding rockets in France. The Centre d'Essais des Landes is situated between Biscarrosse and the Atlantic Ocean at...
in Biscarrosse
Biscarrosse
Biscarrosse is a commune in the Landes department in Aquitaine in south-western France. It is located southwest of Bordeaux, and inland from the seaside resort of Biscarrosse-Plage on the Atlantic coast....
(Landes). The target was reached twenty minutes later, in the north-west of the Atlantic Ocean.
A second and third successful test were carried out on 21 June 2007 and 13 November 2008 .
On 27 January 2010, at 9h25, a missile was launched underwater by the Terrible, from Audierne Bay. The missile reached its target 2000 kilometres off South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
; the 4500 kilometre flight took less than 20 minutes .
The 10 July 2010 test validated the Triomphant class submarine capacity to launch a M51 in operational conditions.
Sources and references
- nrdc.org: Table of French Nuclear Forces, 2002
- globalsecurity.org M-5 / M-51
- M51 Gives France More Flexible Deterrent To Meet Changing Threats, Aviation Week