Developed in the 1950s and 1960s, the weapon was intended to take advantage of the greater detection ranges possible with towed sonar arrays.

The missile entered service in 1966 and was manufactured by Groupe Latécoère The weapon is essentially a glider-delivered version of the L4 torpedo.

The unpowered glider continues at an altitude of 100 metres (330 ft), altering course in mid-flight under radio control of the launch platform.

As it reaches the target, the glider drops the torpedo, which splashes into the sea and commences a circular search pattern.

The Malafon system was fitted to the following ship classes The missile had a 3.19 m (10.5 ft) wingspan, with the main body having a 65 cm (26 in) diameter.