At Euronaval 2024, MBDA unveils a new member in the world famous Exocet family of anti-ship missiles. The new variant, designated SM40 by the company, is a cut-down version of the latest ship-launched MM40 Block 3c modified for encapsulated launch from a submarine torpedo tube.=====================MBDA says the proposed development, which would succeed the legacy SM39 in the Exocet family portfolio, has arisen from discussions with the Direction générale de l’armement and the French Navy, while also reflecting demand from Naval Group for a new sub-launched anti-ship cruise missile to support export submarine sales.According to MBDA, SM40 would adapt the MM40 Block 3c baseline for submarine launch, but introduce design changes in order to use the same encapsulation as SM39 and so reduce development and integration costs. To achieve this, SM40 would marry the Safran TR-40 turbojet engine and avionics package of Block 3c with a shortened airframe so that the weapon can fit inside the torpedo tube launch capsule. The missile wings would also be modified for encapsulation.The smaller airframe reduces fuel capacity relative to the ship-launched MM40 Block 3/3c. However, MBDA believes that SM40 will still achieve a range of 120 km, which is double that of its predecessor. Furthermore, SM40 will maintain the existing SM39 launch envelope, which includes the ability to launch from deep.
New submarine-launched SM40 Exocet missile
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