 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
France Tests Ballistic Missile For Nuclear Deployment
Paris (AFP) Nov 9, 2006 France on Thursday successfully carried out a first test on its new M-51 ballistic missile which is to carry submarine-based nuclear weapons, the defense ministry said. The unarmed missile was fired over the Bay of Biscay from a launch test centre on France's southern Atlantic coast. The M51, with a range of some 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles), is to replace France's existing submarine-based missiles by 2010. "This test flight was carried out ... in conformity with all France's international commitments concerning safety, transparency and non-proliferation," a ministry statement said. Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said that the test was needed "to check the performance of future missiles ... and to move to a new phase in the modernisation of our deterrent," according to the statement. Manufactured by the European consortium EADS, the M-51 is 12 metres (39 feet) in length and weighs around 50 tonnes. It has a cruising altitude of 1,000 metres and will carry six nuclear warheads. France currently deploys the M45 ballistic missile, with a range of 6,000 kilometres, on the four submarines that form its Oceanic Strategic Force (FOST). In 1996 France dismantled its land-based nuclear missile silos, and its nuclear arsenal is now deliverable exclusively from submarines and aircraft. In January this year President Jacques Chirac said that the country's nuclear "force de frappe" could be targeted on countries that sponsor terrorism.
Source: Agence France-Presse Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Russia Tests Ballistic Missile
Moscow (AFP) Nov 9, 2006Russia on Thursday tested an intercontinental ballistic missile from a base in Kazakhstan, the Khrunishev national space centre said. The missile, a RS-18 -- or a SS-19 Stiletto under NATO designation --, was launched at 2.35 pm (1135 GMT) and successfully hit its target more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100 miles) away in the Russian Far East region. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
