M51 SLBM

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M51 SLBM
Type	SLBM
Service history
In service	2010
Production history
Manufacturer	EADS Astrium Space Transportation
Unit cost	4 billion Euro for the program
Specifications
Weight	56,000 kg
Length	12.0 m
Diameter	2.3 m
Warhead	M51.1 = 6 TN 75 MIRV using the 100 kt of TNT (420 TJ), with penetration aids. M51.2 (2015) = using the new Tête Nucléaire Océanique
Engine	three stage solid propellant
Operational range	8,000–10,000 km
Speed	Mach 25
Guidance system	Inertial & star positioning
Launch platform	Triomphant class submarines

The M51 SLBM is the French Navy's future submarine launched ballistic missile, designed to replace the M45 SLBM (In French terminology the MSBS - Mer-Sol-Balistique-Stratégique “Sea-ground-Strategic ballistic”).

Each missile carries six independently targetable TN 75 thermonuclear warheads.

The three-stage engine of the M51 is directly derived from the 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 (6,200 miles) and carry 10 TNO MIRV of the new generation (Tête Nucléaire Océanique, “Oceanic nuclear warhead”). The M51 will enter service in 2010.

[edit] Flight tests

The M51 performed its first flight test (unarmed) on the 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.[1]

A second successful test was carried out on the 21 June 2007 [2].

[edit] Operators

•  France: The French Navy expects to have the M51 enter service in 2010, and will be the only operator of the missile.

[edit] External links

• 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 present M45 missile and the future M51 missile.

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