Exocet (MM38 / MM40 / AM39 / SM39)

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Exocet (MM38 / MM40 / AM39 / SM39)

The French sea-skimming missile that sank HMS Sheffield

The Exocet is a family of sea-skimming anti-ship missiles made by MBDA (formerly Aérospatiale) in France, in service since 1974. More than 3,000 have been built, and it is best known for the Falklands War and the attack on USS Stark.

France|MBDA (Aérospatiale)
40–200 kmRange165 kgWarheadMach 0.93Max Speed670–870 kgWeight4.7–5.8 mLengthIn ProductionStatus

What Is the Exocet? Overview, History and Development

Aérospatiale tested the Exocet in 1969, and the MM38 ship-launched version entered service in 1974. The family grew to include the MM40 for ships and coastal batteries, the air-launched AM39 and the submarine-launched SM39. The missile flies at about Mach 0.93 at very low altitude with active radar homing and a 165 kg warhead. MM40 Block 3 uses a turbojet sustainer, is about 5.8 m long, weighs roughly 870 kg and reaches about 180–200 km.

In 1982 Argentine Exocets sank HMS Sheffield and the container ship Atlantic Conveyor. In 1987 two AM39s from an Iraqi Mirage F1 hit USS Stark, killing 37 sailors, and hundreds were used in the tanker war. More than 30 customers include France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, the UAE, Qatar, Morocco, Peru, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Türkiye and Malaysia, though the list is partial. Unit cost is about 1–1.5 million dollars, higher for Block 3.

Exocet (MM38 / MM40 / AM39 / SM39)
Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Exocet Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance

ManufacturerMBDA (Aérospatiale)
CountryFrance
ManufacturerMBDA (Aérospatiale)
CountryFrance
First Flight1969
Entered Service1974
StatusIn Production
Range40–200 km
Max SpeedMach 0.93
Warhead165 kg
Weight670–870 kg
Length4.7–5.8 m
Width0.35 m
EngineSolid-fuel booster and sustainer
GuidanceINS / active radar seeker
Units Built3,000+

Exocet Variants and Versions Compared

MM38 / MM40 Block 3

The ship- and coast-launched versions, from the original 42 km MM38 to the Block 3 reaching about 180–200 km.

AM39

The air-launched version with a range of about 50 to 70 km, used in the Falklands War and the Tanker War.

SM39

The submarine-launched version, fired from a standard torpedo tube.

Which Countries Use the Exocet? Operators and Users

FranceArgentinaBrazilChileEgyptGreeceIndonesiaUAEQatarMoroccoPeruPakistanSaudi ArabiaThailandTürkiyeMalaysia

Exocet FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions

How much does an Exocet missile cost?

An Exocet missile costs about 1 to 1.5 million US dollars, with newer Block 3 versions costing more, according to reports. Actual prices depend on the version and contract.

What is the range of the Exocet?

The Exocet has a range of about 42 km for the MM38, 180–200 km for the MM40 Block 3 and about 50–70 km for the air-launched AM39. It flies at about Mach 0.93.

Which countries use the Exocet?

The Exocet is used by France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, the UAE, Qatar, Morocco, Peru, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Türkiye and Malaysia. The list is partial, and there are more than 30 customers.

Exocet vs Harpoon: which is better?

The Exocet and the Harpoon are comparable subsonic sea-skimmers: Exocet has a 165 kg warhead and Mach 0.93 speed, while Harpoon carries 221 kg. Block 3 Exocet and Block II+ ER Harpoon have similar ranges, near 200 km or more.

What ships did the Exocet sink?

The Exocet sank HMS Sheffield (AM39) and the container ship Atlantic Conveyor in the Falklands War in 1982. In 1987 two AM39 missiles hit USS Stark, killing 37 US sailors, though that ship stayed afloat.

Is the Exocet stealth?

The Exocet is not stealth. It relies on sea-skimming flight at very low altitude, which makes detection and interception difficult, but it has no low-observable shaping like newer missiles.