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The M-4 is an intermediate range, SLBM (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile) with MIRV (Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle) capability. The M-4 is the fourth missile in the MSBS (Mer-Sol-Balistique-Strategique) family which compromises a number of intermediate range SLBMs. 
M4b
The M-4 is a three stage, solid-fueled missile 11.05 meters long and 1.93 meters in diameter. The first stage burns for 62 seconds, the second stage burns for 71 seconds and the third stage burn lasts for 43 seconds. The three stage solid propellant motors contain 20,000 kilograms, 8,015 kilograms, and 1,500 kilograms of propellant respectively for a total missile launch weight of 35,000 kilograms. Each motor has a single flexible nozzle for directional control. The first stage was made out of flow-turned 40 CDV 20 alloy, while both upper stages were made of wound synthetic fiber. The range for the M-4A is 4,000 kilometers and the range for the M-4B is 5,000 kilometers. The M-45 has an increased range of 6,000 kilometers. The estimated accuracy of the M-4 missile is 500 m CEP. The M-4 missile system was deployed on the Redoutable class submarine force forming France's Strategic Ocean Force (FOST) before being replaced by the M-45.
The major improvements over the M-20 were in range and payload. The M-20 did not have MIRV capability. Initial development of the M-4 was conducted in Le Gymnote using twin tubes for testing. The first test launch took place in November 1980 on the Landes test range. The 14th and final test firing took place at Le Gymnote on 29 Februrary 1984. The M-4 entered service in 1985. Aerospatiale developed an improved version of the M-4 naval missile, the M-45. The M-45 is armed with six TN-75 nuclear warheads and is a far more sophisticated weapon than its predecessors; its different technical characteristics allow it to respond better to the level of advancement reached by foreign defenses. It has penetration capabilities and decoy systems which allow it to divert the electronic counter-measures of an enemy's sophisticated defenses. The M-45 is also equipped with the improved TN-75 thermonuclear warhead. Six of these nuclear warheads are to equip each M-45. Budget cuts announced in 1992 indicated that M-45 development would be re-examined. The system synthesis test firing, which qualified the M45 took place successfully from Triomphant in February 1995. Proposals were made in 1988 to adapt a variant of the M-4 missile for land basing instead of developing the S-4, but these were not pursued. In March 1986, a M-4 was launched and traveled 6,000 km to its target, this was most likely a test flight of the M-45. On the night of the 1-2 June 2004, the Triomphant class submarine Le Vigilant fired a M-45 from south of Brittany. The missile hit its target near French Guiana. In 1996, the M-45 replaced the M-4 and are the only operational French SLBMs in service today. The M-45 featured extended ranges and armed with the improved TN-75 warhead. The M-45 missile system is deployed on the four Escadrille des Sous-Marins Lanceurs d'Engins (ESNLE) submarines of FOST. The current fleet includes three Le Triophant class ships (Le Triomphant (S616), Le Téméraire ( S617), Le Vigilant (S618)) and one Le Redoutable class ship (L'Inflexible (S615)). The M-45 will be replaced by the M-51 SLBM. The M-51 will also carry 6 TN-75 thermonuclear warheads and is expected to enter service in 2008. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
