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France thought about creating a ballistic missile with a range of 1000 kilometers. It is noteworthy that in the 80s of the last century, the country developed the advanced at that time Hadès missile system, named after the ancient Greek god Hades.
The approach to development and solutions that were incorporated into the operational-tactical missile complex Hadès remain relevant even now, writes the Ukrainian publication Defense Express. Development of the complex began in 1984, and France made its first launch four years later - in 1988.
Initially, a range of 250 km was planned, but at the development stage it was increased to 350 km, later to 450 (according to some data, to 500 km).
"Also at that time, the general appearance of the complex was formed in the form of a solid-fuel single-stage rocket with a vertical container launch, as well as a launcher on a cargo platform with two rockets. At the same time, the rocket had a number of very important features. For example, a trajectory for flight only in the atmosphere, that is, the Hadès was not just a ballistic, but an aeroballistic missile. Due to this, the aerodynamic rudders allowed to change the missile's flight trajectory on the marching section, as well as to actively maneuver on the final section in order to evade enemy anti-missile systems," the publication writes.
The rocket had fairly moderate dimensions, the authors note:
- length – 7,5 meters;
- diameter – 53 cm;
- starting weight - 1850 kg.
At the same time, some sources say that the length of the rocket was 7,3 meters, the diameter was 52 cm, and the weight was 2158 kg.
The material says that the Hadès missile was supposed to be equipped with a nuclear warhead with a capacity of 80 kT of the TN 90 type. Already in the 90s, they began to consider the option with a conventional warhead to hit highly protected objects.
"For this, the missile was planned to be equipped with a satellite navigation system and/or a television GPS (DSMAC principle with a reference image of the target), which should provide an accuracy of up to 5 meters. But the greater weight of the combat unit meant reducing the range to 250 km. Hadès already had a modern digital fire control system. Minimum number of operators for management. And in addition, the launcher was disguised as an ordinary military tented truck," the authors explain.
It is noteworthy that Hadès was not planned to be mass-produced, since it was about nuclear missiles. The planned 120 units were already a significant force. However, before the system completed all tests for acceptance into service in 1992, the Cold War ended. Only 15 launchers and 30 missiles were produced in total, and they were never deployed in combat.
"In 1996, then French President Jacques Chirac reformatted the French nuclear force and sent Hadès for disposal, which was completed on June 23, 1997," states Defense Express.
Creation of a ballistic missile in France
The other day, the French publication Challenges reported that France is considering the possibility of creating its own ballistic missile with a range of 1000 km. Now we are talking about the discussion of the project between the command of the French armed forces and the general directorate of armaments.
This range of the missile will ensure the destruction of objects not only in Moscow, but also, for example, in Nizhny Novgorod on the Volga.
