M4 (missile)
The M 4 were French ballistic nuclear missiles stationed on submarines. The three -stage solid-fuel rockets were a completely new development and are not technically related to their predecessors. The first flight took place in November 1980. Until 1984, followed by another 13 land-based test launches. The type M 20 almost twice as heavy compared to their predecessors rockets were made jointly with the L' Inflexible (S 615) in service in 1985.
Except for Le Redoutable (S 611 ) then all U- boats Redoutable class for the deployment of the new missiles were rebuilt.
In addition to the three-stage concept is the crucial difference to the older French nuclear submarine rockets that first multiple warheads ( MIRV ) were used. The missiles were no longer armed with a single warhead, but had six independent warheads. The warheads of the type TN -71 each had a nuclear explosive yield of 150 kT.
The M 4 was built in two versions:
- The M 4A had a flight range of 4,000 km. 16 missiles were built.
- The M 4B had a flight range of 5,000 km. 48 missiles were built.
As successor was introduced in 1997 together with the new submarines of the Triomphant class, the M 45. The rocket carrying six TN -75 warheads per 100 kT. The most important innovations of the 6000 km long-range missiles have an increased resistance against electronic countermeasures, an increased resistance to EMP and stealth properties of the reentry body.
Beginning of the 1990s the development of the M 5 was adopted as a successor to the M4 missiles. 11,000 km flying intercontinental ballistic missile but was simplified for reasons of cost and regress to M 51. The first test flight of a M 51 was carried out successfully on 9 November 2006.
The M 4 rockets are now no longer in service.