13.11.2008.
DefenceNews
Francuska je završila podvodno testiranje nenaoružanog podmorničkog balističkog projektila M51...
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France completed a first undersea test launch of an unarmed M51 submarine ballistic missile Nov. 13 from the Biscarosse range, the ministry of defense said.
The firing was the third test launch of the strategic weapon system but the first from underwater, the ministry said in a statement. The firing took place at a submerged launch point, which allowed verification of the underwater phase of the missile launch.
"The test was followed all through the flight cycle by the test resources of the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) and the test and measurement ship Monge," the statement said.
The M51 is the new missile due to enter service in 2010 on Le Terrible, the last of four in the Triomphant class of nuclear ballistic missile submarines. The M51 has a range of 9,000 kilometers, half again as much as the M45 missile it replaces.
Defense Minister Hervé Morin congratulated teams from the DGA, EADS Astrium, G2P, the joint venture between Snecma Propulsion Solide and SNPE Materiaux Energétiques, subcontractors, the CEA French Atomic Energy Commission and the armed forces.
