S2 (missile)
S2 | |
---|---|
Type | MRBM |
Place of origin | France |
Service history | |
In service | 1971-1984 |
Used by | French Air Force |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Aérospatiale |
Specifications | |
Mass | 31,900 kg (70,300 lb) |
Length | 14.8 m (49 ft) |
Diameter | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) |
Warhead | 1 × MR 31 nuclear warhead, 120 kilotonnes |
Engine | Two-stage Solid-fuel rocket 534 kN (120,000 lbf) |
Operational range | 3,000 km (1,900 mi) |
Guidance system | Inertial |
Launch platform | Silo, |
The S2 was the first deployed French land-based strategic missile, equipped with a single nuclear warhead of 120 kilotonnes. In French it is called a Sol-Sol Balistique Stratégique, (SSBS or ""). The S2 was a two-stage, solid-propellant medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).[1]
Operational history[]
Deployed in 1971, the main land-based component of the French nuclear deterrent (force de dissuasion) was the S2 missile, rounding out their strategic nuclear triad along with air and submarine assets. Two groups totalling 18 S2 missile silos were deployed at airbase, on the in the Vaucluse region.
The S2 was replaced by the S3 SSBS in the early 1980s.
References[]
- ^ "SSBS S02". Astronautix.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010.
Categories:
- Intermediate-range ballistic missiles
- Ballistic missiles of France
- Nuclear missiles of France
- Projects established in 1971
- 1970s in France
- Military equipment introduced in the 1970s