At Euronaval 2024, MBDA presented the latest addition to its renowned Exocet family of anti-ship missiles, introducing the Exocet SM40, a new submarine-launched missile designed for both anti-ship and surface warfare. This new missile marks a significant step forward in MBDA’s efforts to meet the evolving challenges of modern naval warfare and ensure maritime superiority, both now and in the future.
The Exocet SM40 builds on MBDA’s extensive expertise in anti-ship missile technology, reinforcing the company’s position as the sole European provider of a sovereign submarine-launched anti-ship missile capability. With no equivalent product currently available on the market, MBDA continues to offer a unique, advanced solution for submarine operations.
The need for anti-ship missiles capable of being fired under any conditions—day or night, in all weathers, and even in the most challenging electronic warfare (EW) environments—has long been essential for naval operations. However, advancements in detection technologies have made it increasingly difficult for surface ships to track submarines, demanding a new generation of anti-ship missiles with enhanced capabilities.
The Exocet SM40 builds on the success of its predecessor, the Exocet SM39, while incorporating two key upgrades that address the modern challenges faced by naval forces. Firstly, it integrates the latest technologies from the Exocet MM40 B3C, including a new coherent J-band RF seeker and advanced missile algorithms tailored for high-intensity environments. This enables the SM40 to better discriminate and identify targets in complex, high-electronic warfare conditions.
Secondly, the SM40 features a doubled range, extending to 120 km, thanks to a new turbojet propulsion system. This increase in range is crucial for maintaining the stand-off distance needed in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), providing submarines with enhanced protection against modern threats and the ability to strike well-defended surface vessels from a safer distance.
Despite these improvements, the Exocet SM40 retains many of the operational advantages that made the Exocet SM39 a success. The missile can still be launched from extreme depths or from brown-water environments, and it uses the same proven launch envelope as the SM39, minimizing integration work for users. This continuity in design ensures a fast time-to-market, providing Naval Group submarines with a game-changing capability for the coming decade.
MBDA’s new Exocet SM40 is designed to be a reliable and versatile tool for modern navies, ensuring that submarines can maintain their operational advantage in contested and increasingly sophisticated naval battlefields. As part of the broader Exocet family, the SM40 continues to offer navies a critical “life insurance” capability at sea—whenever, wherever, and in any weather conditions.
