M45 (missile)

Forty-eight M45 were in commission in the Force océanique stratégique, the submarine nuclear deterrent component of the French Navy.

Initially, an ICBM land-based version was considered, but these plans were discarded in 1996 to favour an all-naval deployment.

Each missile carries six MIRVs, each armed with a thermonuclear warhead of 110 kt.

The M45 has a reported accuracy of 350 m CEP using an inertial missile guidance system coupled with computer payload control.

[citation needed] On the night of the 1–2 June 2004, the Triomphant-class submarine Vigilant fired a version of the M45 from the southern part of Brittany; the missile hit its target near French Guiana.

Comparison of different nuclear systems: left, the SNLE ( Redoutable type) with the M4 missile ; right, the SNLE-NG ( Triomphant type) with the present M45 missile and the future M51 missile .