August 30, 2016

Scorpene's and other DCNS sub's anti-ship Exocet missile. Land attack?

The potent Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles can be used on DCNS designed subs, including:

-  Scorpene conventionally powered attack subs (SSKs) (including India's Kalvari Class), 
-  Agosta SSKs (see below)
-  Rubis nuclear powered attack subs (SSNs)
-  soon to be launched Barracuda SSNs, and
-  other non-DCNS submarine types if they are fitted with the SUBTICS combat system.
-  Australia's future Shortfin SSKs will use a US Combat System, US missiles and torpedos and
   probably British mines. 

In future one might expect:
-  submarine launched Exocets to have a land attack capability like the surface launched Exocet 
   MM40 Block 3s or
-  will another much longer ranged French missile, the MdCN be relied on for submarine launched 
   land attack? 

Youtube A. From NavyRecognition, uploaded April 5, 2012. It demonstratrates the SUBTICS (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System). The sub is using an Exocet SM39 anti-ship missile (see youtube below) and a torpedo to sink a landing helicopter dock (LHD). 
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Youtube B. Real footage of an Exocet SM39 missile. The uniforms look Pakistani Navy(?). Hence the submarine is an Agosta - with a narrower bow than a Scorpene.
-  The SM39 (submarine-launched) Exocet (B2 Mod 2) is housed inside a water-tight launcher capsule. The capsule is ejected from the submarine's torpedo tube at a substantial depth, which makes it particularly suitable for discreet submarine operations. On leaving the water, the capsule  splits and drops away (31 seconds into the youtube) and the missile's motor is ignited.

Pete

10 comments:

Nicky said...

Hi Pete,
It looks like according the Diplomat Magazine, Pakistan is finally going to be getting their Chinese made SSK Submarines by 2028.

China to Supply Pakistan With 8 New Stealth Attack Submarines by 2028
http://thediplomat.com/2016/08/china-to-supply-pakistan-with-8-new-stealth-attack-submarines-by-2028/

Pete said...

Thanks Nicky

I'll do Pakistan in my article today.

Regards

Pete

Pete said...

I'll publish Pakistan's Future 8 Chinese Designed Submarines tomorrow.

The article has been getting longer and I've thrown in a nuclear tipped Babur missile.

Pete

Nicky said...

Hi Pete,
Not a problem. What do you think of Pakistan buying submarines from China.

Nicky said...

Hi Pete,
Check this article out from war is boring

The U.S. Navy Is Growing More Concerned About Russian and Chinese Submarines
https://warisboring.com/the-u-s-navy-is-growing-more-concerned-about-russian-and-chinese-submarines-3da20abd3ee4#.6hlg2udx8

Anonymous said...

The Exocet block 3 range of 180km is short and is only suitable for coastal land attacks at a pinch. Its warhead of 165kg is quite small to be effective against hardened targets. Given the range, it likely does not have a sophisticated terrain mapping following guidance. For all likelihood, you will want to use the MdcN for land attacks.
KQN

Pete said...

Hi Nicky [at 1/9/16 2:05 AM}

Thanks for https://warisboring.com/the-u-s-navy-is-growing-more-concerned-about-russian-and-chinese-submarines-3da20abd3ee4#.6hlg2udx8

Its points about torpedos being the main, decades old, back-breaking threat to US carriers is well established.

The article appears to be a vehicle for the field and build more US SSNs numbers game debate.

Regards

Pete

Pete said...

Thanks KQN [at 1/9/16 11:51 AM]

Your comments look accurate on the Exocet block 3 being of too short a range, small of warhead, and wrong of guidance, for land attack.

So yes the much longer range and purpose built MdCN* looks like the prime land attack missile to go with French designed ships and submarines. There is a US parallel in the Harpoon mainly doing anti-shipping and Tomahawk (currently specialised) for land attack.

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_Shadow#Missile_de_Croisi.C3.A8re_Naval

Regards

Pete

Leon Fernandez said...

Hi!
Any idea why the need for exocet sm39 when they already have torpedoes? Can't the torpedoes do the job already? :) Thanks!

Pete said...

Hi Leon Fernandez

French built Exocets and US built Harpoon anti-ship missiles travel around 10 times longer and 10 times faster than torpedos.

The main disadvantage with missiles is that that reveal the launching submarine's position, unlike torpedos.

Regards

Pete