M4 (missile)

M4 SLBM
Type	SLBM
Service history
In service	1985
Production history
Manufacturer	EADS SPACE Transportation
Specifications
Weight	36,000 kg (79,000 lb)
Length	11.5 m (38 ft)
Diameter	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Warhead	6 × TN 71 MIRV, with penetration aids
Blast yield	6 × 150 kt (630 TJ)

Engine	Three stage Solid-fuel rocket
Operational range	5,000 km (3,100 mi)
Guidance system	Inertial
Launch platform	Redoutable-class submarines

The M4 was a French submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deployed on the nuclear Redoutable-class submarines (except the Redoutable herself, which was not refitted).^[1]

They entered service on the 1 May 1985. They were the first French MIRV-capable nuclear missiles, with six 150 kilotonne warheads.^[1]

They were replaced by the improved M45 SLBM missile which is currently in active service aboard the Triomphant-class submarine.^[1]

Operators

France

French Navy

References

1 2 3 "M-4 / M-45 - France Nuclear Forces". Federation of American Scientists. 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.

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

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

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, February 12, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.