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French tactical ballistic missile From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2008) |
| 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 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]
The regiments and groups which used the equipment included:[4]
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