Posted on 11/09/2006 7:57:00 AM PST by Republicain
PARIS, Nov 9, 2006 (AFP) - 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.
What the hell for. Must be for the Iranians.
No nukes for frogs.
Another Islamic state with nukes. Great.
Why the heck would France need a missile? They'll never use it. Does it come in white?
"France tests ballistic missile for nuclear deployment"
I read the title and started laughing, and now I can't stop! :)
Thanks for the 1st comic relief I've had since Tues.
At mid-course, the missile attempted to surrender to a weather satellite, an empty Tang container, and John Young's glove from a Gemini mission.
Do they plan on nuking themselves?
That is exactly the same thing I was thinking.
Huh?
Sacre bleu! Cela va sans dire...ca ira est Trident n'cest pas?
Must be for the country they hate more than any other country in the world. Us.
Your ONE STOP SHOP for all your needs
to confront the Imperialist
AMERICANS.
Your ONE STOP SHOP for all your needs
to confront the Imperialist
AMERICANS.
------
They will probably be recruiting all of their Islamics for their Army for their first beach invasion of the Atlantic coast....if they can find it...
My thoughts exactly.
It has a cruising altitude of 1,000 metresGood catch. If it has a cruising altitude of 1,000 metres, it's not a ballistic missile.Huh?
"It has a cruising altitude of 1,000 metres
Huh?
Good catch. If it has a cruising altitude of 1,000 metres, it's not a ballistic missile."
It's a typo. The M-51's cruise altitude is around 1,000 kilometers, not meters.
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