M45 (missile)

M45 SLBM
M45 SLBM
Type	SLBM
Service history
In service	1996–2016
Production history
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale (1996–2000) now Astrium
Specifications
Mass	35 t
Length	11.05 m (36.3 ft)
Diameter	1.93 m (6.3 ft)
Warhead	6 x 110 kt TN 75
Engine	3-stage Solid-fuel rocket
Operational; range	6,000 km (3,700 mi)
Guidance; system	Inertial plus computer payload control
Launch; platform	Triomphant-class submarines

The M45 SLBM was a French Navy submarine-launched ballistic missile (In French terminology, the MSBS - Mer-Sol-Ballistique-Stratégique (Sea-ground-Strategic ballistic missile).) Forty-eight M45 were in commission in the Force océanique stratégique, the submarine nuclear deterrent component of the French Navy.^{[needs update]} The missiles, derived from the M4, were produced by Aérospatiale^[when?] (now Astrium). Initially, an ICBM land-based version was considered, but these plans were discarded in 1996 to favour an all-naval deployment.

The M45 differs from its predecessor by its increased range (6,000 km vs. 4,000 km), its increased accuracy and penetration capabilities and its new TN-75 warheads. Each missile carries six MIRVs, each armed with a thermonuclear warhead of 110 kt. The M45 has a reported accuracy of 350 m CEP using an inertial missile guidance system coupled with computer payload control. It was succeeded by the M51.

The Ministry of Defense had planned to replace the M45 model with the M51 model since 2004, but the last M45 was only removed from service in 2016.^[1] However, its successor, the M51 model, was formally introduced in 2010 and has since entered service. Throughout its service, only 64 out of the 192 missiles that were built are believed to have been used.^[2]

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.

Tests

In March 1986, a M-4 missile was launched and covered 6,000 km to its target; this flight is rumoured to have been the first test flight for the M-45.^{[citation needed]}

On the night of the 1–2 June 2004, the Triomphant-class submarine Vigilant fired a version of the M45 from the southern part of Brittany; the missile hit its target near French Guiana.

Former operators

France

French Navy - Original primary armament for the Triomphant-class SSBN. As of 2016, replaced by the M51 SLBM.

Sources and references

^ Kristensen, Hans; Korda, Matt (7 January 2019). "French nuclear forces, 2019". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 75 (Special Issue: Spotlight on Nuclear Modernization): 51–55. Bibcode:2019BuAtS..75a..51K. doi:10.1080/00963402.2019.1556003. S2CID 151142543.
^ "M45". Missile Threat. Retrieved 5 April 2019.

[1] Kristensen, Hans; Korda, Matt (7 January 2019). "French nuclear forces, 2019". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 75 (Special Issue: Spotlight on Nuclear Modernization): 51–55. Bibcode:2019BuAtS..75a..51K. doi:10.1080/00963402.2019.1556003. S2CID 151142543.

[2] "M45". Missile Threat. Retrieved 5 April 2019.

[1]

[2]

v t e French nuclear armament
Strategic missiles	missile M1 missile M2 missile M20 missile S1 missile S2 missile S3 missile M4 missile M45 missile M5 missile M51
Pre-strategic missiles	Pluton Hadès ASMP ASMP-A ASN4G
Nuclear warheads	AN-11 bomb AN-22 bomb AN-52 bomb MR 31 MR 41 MR 50 CTC AN 51 CTC AN 52 CTC TN 60 TN 61 TN 70 TN 71 TN 75 TN 76 TN 80 TN 81 TN 90 TNA TNO
Related subjects	French nuclear deterrence FAS FOST France and weapons of mass destruction

Tests

Former operators

See also

Sources and references