Pluton (missile)

Pluton
Type	Tactical ballistic missile
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1974 to 1993
Used by	France
Production history
Manufacturer	SNIAS
Specifications
Mass	2,423 kg (5,342 lb)
Length	7.64 m (25 ft 1 in)
Diameter	0.65 m (2 ft 2 in)
Warhead	- Nuclear 15 kt of TNT - Nuclear 25 kt of TNT - Conventional High-Explosive
Engine	Single-stage solid
Operational range	120 km (75 mi)
Maximum speed	1,100 m/s (3,600 ft/s)
Guidance system	Inertial
Launch platform	TEL platform on an AMX-30 chassis

The Pluton missile was a French nuclear-armed tactical ballistic missile (short-range ballistic missile, SRBM) system launched from a transporter erector launcher (TEL) platform mounted on an AMX-30 tank chassis. ^[1] It was designed to provide the tactical part of French nuclear deterrence during the Cold War. ^[2]

Development

The Pluton came in replacement of the U.S.-built Honest John missile. It had an operating range between 17 and 120 km (11 and 75 mi), with a CEP of 150 m. This short range only allowed strikes on targets in West Germany or within France itself, which led to the development of the longer ranged Hadès missile.

The system was relatively light-weight, which allowed its deployment in difficult conditions. A CT-20 drone was available to provide last-minute information about the target before launch, making the Pluton system battle-capable.

A project for an updated version, called Super-Pluton, was dropped in favour of the Hadès project, and the aging Pluton was gradually discarded until completely retired in 1993. ^[3]

Units

A 25kt tactical Pluton missile on its TEL at the Musée des blindés in Saumur.

The regiments and groups which used the equipment included: ^[4]

• 1st Army Corps
  • 3rd Artillery Regiment (1970–1990)
  • 4th Artillery Regiment (1976–1980)
  • 15th Artillery Regiment (1974–1990)
• 2nd Army Corps
  • 32nd Artillery Regiment (1977–1993)
  • 74th Artillery Regiment (1975–1993)
• 3rd Army Corps
  • 3rd Artillery Regiment (1990–1993)
  • 4th Artillery Regiment (1980–1993)
• Nuclear support regiments  [ fr ] included:
  • 21st Maintenance Battalion
  • 22nd Maintenance Battalion

Operators

  France

• French Army

See also

• MGM-52 Lance

References

1. Jackson, Robert (2012) [2010]. Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles : Visual encyclopedia. New York, N.Y.: Chartwell Books. p. 366. ISBN   9780785829263. OCLC   785874088.
2. Barrillot, Bruno. "Audit atomique - Le coût de l'arsenal nucléaire français (1945-2010)". Éditions Observatoire des armements/CDRPC.
3. "Pluton - France Nuclear Forces".
4. "2- Insignes des unités Pluton et de leurs unités de soutien". artillerie.asso.fr. Retrieved 2021-08-28.

• CERMA Hors-série n7 (2013) Histoire de l'artillerie nucléaire de Terre française 1959-1996 ( ISBN   2-901418-43-0 // ISSN 1950-3547).

External links

• Pluton on astronautix.com