I believe they also unveiled a new dedicated variant of the MM40 for submarine, the SM40. It may be a state of the art modern missile, it’s still the same old flying fish we all know and love. As they say, if it ain’t broke…
Even if the Damage Method remains the same (Penetrator as per the missile, then HE warhead of 160 to 165kg), with a Terminal Guidance Radar (about 6km to 10km from target from what i’ve seen // can be different depending on models/standards)
You must take care of the specifics variants:
→ MM-38 // MM-40 stands for Mer-Mer (“Sea-Sea” for english speakers), so “from ships to ships” Warfare (also been modified for Coastal batteries - Still MM40 but in Ground-Sea mode)
A- the 1974- - MM-38 is the earliest model of the missile
Range 40km
the only missile to have been discontinued from production today.
B- MM-40 is the latest Exocet model, with various standards
MM40 B1 - 1981 - Range 70km
MM40 B2 - 1992 - Range 72km
MM40 B3 - 2010 - Range 180+km (can go 180° to avoid Interception missile)
MM40 B3C - 2023 - Range around 200km
(others improvements)
→ SM39 / SM40 stands for Sous-Mer (“Sub-Sea” for our english friends), is a specific variant made for Submarines Warfare and Tactics
Several Standards appears:
SM39 B1 - 1985 - Range of 50km
SM39 B2 Mod2 - 2009 - Range of 60-70km (in good Sea conditions?)
(others improvements)
a breaking “new born” : the SM40 is an adapted MM40 B3C missile unveiled at Euronaval 2024
MBDA Estimated the Range to 120km for this variant
All SM39/SM40 are shortenned variant of MM40’s in order to enter the 21" torpedo tubes in use of French Subs, explainning the Shortenned Range.
→ AM38/AM39 stands for Air-Mer (“Air-Sea” for our english friends), is a specific variant made for Aerial Warfare and Tactics
the 1977 “Unknown” AM38 (based on MM38) - 5 produced, all fired from SA 321 “Super Frelon” Helicopters without live charges
The Standard:
AM39 B1 - 1979 - Range of 50-70km (depending on aircraft parameters at Launch)
AM39 B2 - 1982 - Range of 50-70km (depending on aircraft parameters at Launch)
AM39 B2 Mod 2 - 2009 - Range of 50-70+km (depending on aircraft parameters at Launch)
(others improvements)
[Maybe a New AM40 will be soon available aswell since MBDA just unveiled the SM40 at Euronaval (current event from 4th to 7th Nov.2024) - Check next Aeronautic Event to found out]
Various Sources (mostly newspapers and wikipedia) used on this post
Well yes… I already knew that… I was just agreeing with what you said. In any case, all is well.
true, although i’d say it is too slow for modern SAMs and radar now
which is why FC/ASW is being developed
Also why the Exocet missile in it’s newer models is able to do/go 180° before re-comitting if required. ^^"
ah torpedo style it is then X)
Now that we are getting better Afterburners, here is what M88-2E4s look like;
(Very high altitude)
Bonus:
Predator Blue and Death Purple sound like good names for those AB colors at day/night