France successfully tests M51 SLBM from its Triomphant class nuclear submarines (SSBN)

France successfully tests M51 SLBM from its Triomphant class nuclear submarines (SSBN)

Background

In today's world nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction have become an parameter of identifying a superpower or an strong global military power.

As of now nine countries are expected to have nuclear weapons including France.

France successfully carried out its first nuclear test on February 13th 1960 , and the operation was code named Blue Desert Rat.

Nuclear weapons can be launched from air,water or ground depending upon the range of the weapon and the type of action required for a particular mission or objective.

The ballistic missiles which can be launched from submarines are called as submarine launched ballistic missile or SLBM.

And modern ballistic missiles are capable of striking multiple targets.This is if the missile has MIRV capability.

 MIRV is multiple independently target able reentry vehicles.

M51 SLBM

M51 SLBM is considered as the successor to M45 SLBM and which will be replaced by the same.

It is designed and manufactured by ArianeGroup with the project cost estimated to be 4 billion euro .

The weight of this SLBM is around 11,4640 pounds or 52,000 kilograms. It has a length of 12.0 m and a diameter of 2.3 m.

Each M51 SLBM is capable of carrying six to ten TN 75 thermonuclear warheads which can hit multiple targets independently.

M51 uses a three stage solid-fuel rocket engine which uses ammonium percholate composite as propellant. The missile has an operational range of 8,000-10,000 km and 

can achieve an maximum speed of Mach 25. And the ballistic missile uses Astro-inertial guidance system for striking its target.

Image- M51 SLBM (representative image)

Triomphant class submarines-M51 launch platform

M51 SLBM uses Triomphant class submarines as the launching platform which are nuclear-powered submarine (SSBN).  Each of these submarines are equipped with 16 SLBM launching tubes.  It has a top speed of 25 kn (46 km/h). Each of these submarines can stay active in service for up to 25 years without the need of replenishment or swapping of the nuclear reactors

Apart from these the submarines can carry torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. The French administrations confirmed that the French Navy carried out the test of M51 on June 12th 2020.

Image-Triomphant class submarine

                    

M51 SLBM launch test

The test which took place on June 12th 2020 was carried out in operational conditions but the missile is not supposed to be carrying a nuclear warhead.The missile was launched of the coast of Brittany

which is located in western France.

The results of the test were fully analysed by looking into the flight path of the missile with the help of radars along with instrumentation ship of the French Navy

named Monge (A601).

The test zone or the fallout zone of the missile was at least several hundred kilometres away from nearby coast of any country or region.

The official statements stated that the tests was to demonstrate the capability of the Triomphant class submarines and excellence of the French industries in this area.

It also stated that the tests fell in line with all France's international commitment.