France has tested a new M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile. Its carrier is a strategic submarine of the Triomphant type.
France conducted tests of the M51 ballistic missile on Wednesday, April 28. This was reported by the Naval News publication with reference to the General Directorate of Armaments (Direction Générale de l'Armement or DGA) [...] .
The ballistic missile was launched not from a Triomphant-class submarine, which acts as its regular carrier, but from a ground-based missile range of the French Armed Forces, located in the south-west of the country.
The site of the rocket crash was the North Atlantic. It was launched without nuclear warheads: the tests were conducted in strict accordance with international standards. "This test, conducted as part of the M51 program, once again demonstrates the superiority of the high technologies used by French industry in this area," the French Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The M51 is a new-generation submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) designed to replace the M45. Each missile carries six to ten TN 75 thermonuclear warheads independently guided.
M51 SLBM
Image source: wikipedia
Since 2015, the TN 75 has been replaced with new Tête nucléaire océanique (TNO) warheads. These are maneuverable products, which allows them to more effectively break through missile defenses. According to open sources, the mass of the M51 is 52 thousand kilograms, the length of the rocket is 12.0 meters, the diameter is 2.3 meters. It is reported that the range of the M51 is from eight to 10 thousand kilometers.
The first test launch of the M51 ballistic missile was successfully conducted in November 2006. The sixth test of the rocket, in May 2013, ended in failure. Tests in September 2015, July 2016, and June 2020 were successful.
Triomphant
Image source: seaforces
France has four Triomphant-class strategic submarines in service, designed to replace the old Le Redoutable boats. Triomphant is a fairly large submarine, having a displacement (surface) of 12,640 tons. Each such submarine carries 16 ballistic missiles.
Recently, European shipbuilders have noted a number of achievements. Earlier this month, the Spaniards held a ceremony to launch the submarine Isaac Peral-the lead ship of the S-80 Plus project.
And the British recently launched the fifth Astute-class nuclear submarine. This is the most modern type of submarine in the Royal Navy of Great Britain. The lead ship of the series entered service in 2010.
