This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2008) |
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]
| 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 |
Development
editThe 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
editThe 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 included:
- 21st Maintenance Battalion
- 22nd Maintenance Battalion
Operators
edit
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jackson, Robert (2012) [2010]. Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles : Visual encyclopedia. New York, N.Y.: Chartwell Books. p. 366. ISBN 9780785829263. OCLC 785874088.
- ^ Barrillot, Bruno. "Audit atomique - Le coût de l'arsenal nucléaire français (1945-2010)". Éditions Observatoire des armements/CDRPC.
- ^ "Pluton - France Nuclear Forces".
- ^ "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
edit