M51 (missile)

M 51 is the name of the French submarine -based intercontinental missile which was to replace the model M 45 2010. The range of the missile is a military secret, but is estimated to be 8000 km to 9000 km. The M 51 is the result of a cost-optimized reverse engineering from the originally planned 5 M

The rocket weighs 56 tons and is 12 meters high. Your APCP solid propellant based on the Ariane 5 and is, like this one, built by EADS Astrium Space Transportation. As part of the Force de frappe they can carry six to twelve ( MIRV ) warheads TN -75 with an explosive yield of 100 kT. In the previously last French nuclear testing 1995/1996 on the Mururoa tested weapons reached an explosive effect of 110 kT.

The M 51 is hardened against the effects of EMP and against electronic countermeasures (ECM ) resistant. The control is effected by means of an inertial navigation platform and with celestial navigation. With these two systems, an accuracy (CEP ) of 200 m should be achievable. To complicate defensive measures by interceptor missiles, decoys also be released with the detachment of the warheads. The re-entry should have stealth features.

The development program of the M 51 costs EUR 8.5 billion. The unit price of a rocket is EUR 150 million. Up to 60 rockets will be built. The Force océanique stratégique ( FOST ) has four nuclear submarines of the Triomphant class, which can accommodate up to 16 missiles ( Mer - Sol - balistique - Stratégique ).

The first test flight took place on 9 November 2006. Rocket launched just before Bordeaux and crossed the Atlantic in about 15 minutes. Found On January 27, 2010 from submarine Le Terrible (S 619) in the Bay of Audierne, after three previous test flights launched from land, the first launch of a submarine instead. The test flight from the May 5, 2013 failed. The from the submarine Le Vigilant ( S618 ) off the coast of Brittany launched rocket that carried no warheads, destroyed in the first phase of flight over the Atlantic itself