| M51 SLBM | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | SLBM |
| Service history | |
| In service | 27 september 2010 |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | EADS Astrium Space Transportation |
| Unit cost | 4 billion Euro for the programme |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 52,000 kg |
| Length | 12.0 m |
| Diameter | 2.3 m |
| Warhead |
M51.1 = 6 to 10 TN 75 MIRV (100 kiloton (kt) (420 TJ), with penetration aids. M51.2 (2015) = using the new Tête Nucléaire Océanique150 kt |
|
| |
| Engine | three stage solid propellant (APCP) |
Operational range | >10,000 km [1][2] |
| Maximum speed | Mach 25[3] |
Guidance system | Inertial & star positioning |
Launch platform | Triomphant class submarines |
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 warheads.
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 11,000 km (6,800 mi) and carry 10 TNO MIRV of the new generation (Tête Nucléaire Océanique, “Oceanic nuclear warhead”). The M51 entered service in 2010.[4]
Flight tests[]
The M51 performed its first flight test (unarmed) on 9 November 2006 from the French missile flight test centre in Biscarrosse (Landes). The target was reached twenty minutes later, in the north-west of the Atlantic Ocean.[5]
A second and third successful test were carried out on 21 June 2007[6] and 13 November 2008.[7]
On 27 January 2010, at 9h25, a missile was launched underwater by the Le Terrible, from Audierne Bay.[8] The missile reached its target 2,000 kilometres off South Carolina; the 4,500 kilometre flight took less than 20 minutes.[9][10]
The 10 July 2010 test validated the Triomphant class submarine's capacity to launch the M51 in operational conditions.[11]
On 5 May 2013 an M51 flight test missile, failed after being fired by a submerged SSBN off the coast of Brittany. This was the first failed launch of the M51 after 5 successful launches since 2006.[citation needed]
Operators[]
France- French Navy is the only operator of the missile.
Sources and references[]
- ↑ http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/2008/09
- ↑ http://www.techno-science.net/?onglet=glossaire&definition=12366
- ↑ http://www.techno-science.net/?onglet=glossaire&definition=12366
- ↑ "M51: a new generation of missile". Astrium. http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/programme2/m-51-juy.html. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ↑ (French) Le Monde — Test réussi pour le M51, futur missile nucléaire à longue portée français
- ↑ (French) Second successful launch of the M51 missile, press release of the French ministry of Defence
- ↑ (French) Third M51 missile experimental launch, French ministry of Defence
- ↑ Un missile M-51 a été tiré depuis un sous-marin en plongée ce matin, Jean-Dominique Merchet, Libération
- ↑ Le missile M-51 est retombé à 2000 kilomètres des côtes américaines, Jean-Dominique Merchet, Libération
- ↑ Tir d’essai du missile M51, Ministry of Defence
- ↑ "Le Terrible Qualifies for Operational Launch of M51 Missile". Defence.Professionals. 13 July 2010. http://www.defpro.com/news/details/16676/. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- 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
Comparison of different nuclear systems: left, the SNLE (Redoutable type) with the M4 missile; right, the SNLE-NG (Triomphant type) with the previous M45 missile and the actual M51 missile.
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The original article can be found at M51 (missile) and the edit history here.