Tête nucléaire océanique
Tête nucléaire océanique (TNO or oceanic nuclear warhead) is a French thermonuclear warhead intended for use on the M51.2 submarine-launched ballistic missile, that is being developed and built by the Division of Military Applications (DAM) at France's Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (English: Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission).[1] It will be carried on Triomphant-class submarines.[1][2] The TNO is intended to replace the currently deployed TN 75 warhead.[3] Its commissioning is planned for 2015, when France's newest submarines, either Le Terrible or Le Vigilant, will be one of the first to carry the warhead.[3][4]
Yield
The TNO has a yield that is estimated to be greater than or equal to the yield of the TN 75 warhead, 150 kilotons of TNT (kt).[5] The warhead's charge is called "robust":[6] less optimized than the TN 75 but with an improved reliability and life-span. Development of the technology in the warhead has benefited from the final series of French nuclear tests conducted in 1995-1996 in Moruroa, French Polynesia. The warhead's design and functionality were ultimately validated through simulation,[7] particularly with DAM's Tera 100 supercomputer, Megajoule laser, and radiographic equipment.[8] Production of the TNO is estimated to be complete, although it is not yet in France's operational stockpile of nuclear weapons.[3]
Re-entry vehicle
The re-entry vehicle of the TNO is composed of a conical outer envelope with high performance thermal protection. It has been optimized for performance with the M 51 missile and enables precision on very long range atmospheric reentry trajectories. It also features advanced stealth[citation needed].
The information presented in this article can only be indicative because underlying data is classified by the French government.[9]
See also
References
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- ↑ Rapport d'information sur l'avenir des forces nucléaires françaises No. 668 du 12 juillet 2012 (Information Report on the future of French nuclear forces, No. 668 of 12 July 2012)(French)
