Flying fish with a deadly bite: naval forces await third-generation Exocet

There are occasions where an event in military history becomes inextricably linked to the impact of a specific weapon or equipment. For example, public recognition of the Exocet anti-ship missile will forever be associated with the events that took place in the South Atlantic on 4 May 1982. On that day, two AM39 Exocet missiles were launched from Argentine Navy Super Etendard strike aircraft against UK Royal Navy ships deployed to retake the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands.

Although ravaged by fire, the hulk of Sheffield remained afloat and was taken in tow in an effort to effect a salvage. However, in deteriorating weather, the vessel began to ship water through the missile entry hole, leading it to develop an increasing list to starboard. Eventually Sheffield rolled over and sank on the morning of 10 May.

Now, four decades after engineering development of the original MM38 surface-to-surface guided weapon (SSGW) began, MBDA is on the cusp of delivering the first production examples of a new-generation-Exocet which, whilst recognisably of the same lineage, will afford anti-surface warfare and land attack capabilities far removed from those of its antecedent. At the same time, it has begun to study further enhancements to keep the weapon operationally effective and internationally competitive well into the 21st century.

The French Navy plans to undertake a first shipborne firing of MM40 Block 3 from one of the two Horizon frigates (depending on ship availability) in the third quarter of 2009, and declare the system in service at the same time.