Exocet

Exocet
David Monniaux · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Exocet
Type	Anti-ship missile
Origin	France
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale, MBDA
Production date	1974–present
Service	1979–present
Used by	French Navy, Argentine Navy, Royal Navy, Iraqi Air Force
Design date	1967
Variants	MM38, AM39, SM39, MM40
Speed	Mach 0.93
Vehicle range	70–180 km
Guidance	Inertial navigation system, active radar homing
Launch platform	Surface ship, Fixed-wing aircraft, Submarine

Exocet. The Exocet is a French-built, fire-and-forget anti-ship missile whose name, derived from the French word for "flying fish," became globally synonymous with modern naval warfare following its dramatic combat debut. Developed by the state-owned aerospace firm Aérospatiale (now part of MBDA), it was designed to provide a potent, long-range strike capability against surface combatants. Its operational use, particularly during the Falklands War, demonstrated a significant shift in the balance of power between large warships and relatively inexpensive, precision-guided munitions.

Overview

The Exocet emerged from a NATO requirement in the late 1960s for a robust, sea-skimming missile to counter the growing threat posed by the Soviet Navy. It employs a solid-propellant rocket motor for initial boost and a turbojet sustainer engine for cruise flight, flying at very low altitudes over water to evade enemy radar detection. Terminal guidance is achieved through an active radar seeker that autonomously locks onto its target during the final attack phase. This combination of low-altitude flight profile and autonomous terminal guidance made it an exceptionally challenging weapon for contemporary shipboard defenses to intercept.

Development and variants

The initial development contract was awarded to Aérospatiale by the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement, France's defense procurement agency. The first ship-launched version, the MM38, entered service with the French Navy in 1975. This was rapidly followed by the air-launched AM39, designed for deployment from aircraft like the Dassault Super Étendard and Aérospatiale Puma. The SM39 variant introduced a unique capsule launch system for firing from standard 533 mm torpedo tubes aboard submarines. The most advanced and widely exported family is the MM40 series, with the MM40 Block 3 featuring enhanced range, a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, and a land-attack capability.

Operational history

The missile gained international notoriety during the Falklands War in 1982. An Argentine Navy Dassault Super Étendard, using an AM39 Exocet, severely damaged the Royal Navy destroyer HMS *Sheffield*, which later sank. Another AM39 struck the merchant ship SS Atlantic Conveyor, leading to its loss. In the Persian Gulf during the Iran–Iraq War, Iraqi Air Force Dassault Mirage F1 and Aérospatiale Super Frelon helicopters used Exocets against Iranian shipping and naval vessels in the Tanker War. Notably, an Iraqi Mirage F1 mistakenly attacked the United States Navy frigate USS *Stark* with two Exocets in 1987, causing significant casualties and damage.

Technical specifications

The missile's airframe is constructed from lightweight materials to maximize range. Propulsion varies by variant; early models used a two-stage solid-fuel rocket, while later versions like the MM40 employ a solid-fuel booster and a Turbomeca turbofan engine. Its warhead is a high-explosive semi-armor-piercing type, designed to penetrate a ship's hull before detonating. The guidance system typically combines a gyroscope-based inertial platform for mid-course navigation with a J-band active radar for the terminal phase. The MM40 Block 3 can travel over 180 kilometers, flying at speeds approaching Mach 1 and skimming as low as two to three meters above wave tops.

Impact and legacy

The Exocet's combat performance fundamentally altered global naval tactics and accelerated the development of advanced electronic warfare systems like AN/SLQ-32 and close-in weapon systems such as the Phalanx CIWS. Its success established MBDA as a leader in the global missile market and inspired similar designs worldwide, including the United States' AGM-84 Harpoon and China's Yingji series. The missile remains in service with over 35 countries, including Greece, Germany, and Peru, and continues to be upgraded, ensuring its place as one of the most influential and enduring anti-ship weapons in history.

Category:Anti-ship missiles of France Category:Guided missiles introduced in the 1970s