The MBDA Company not too long ago introduced that it took solely a “few weeks” to switch the French SCALP-EG cruise missile to suit Ukrainian Su-24M bombers.
Curiously, the MBDA highlighted that such in depth work would sometimes require a number of years throughout peace instances. However, because of the inexperienced mild from MBDA’s govt and engineering groups for swift decision-making, a prolonged course of was prevented.
However let’s not overlook, this isn’t the primary time the French SCALP-EG cruise missile has undergone modifications. Other than the recognized, there’s a much less acquainted model of this missile designed for naval deployment on frigates and submarines. Referred to as the MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval), this model of the missile has its personal distinctive backstory.
No Tomahawk
In 1998, plans have been in place for the French Navy to purchase as many as 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US, to outfit its future frigates and submarines. This was revealed in a December 2002 report by French newspaper, Le Monde. Nevertheless, the U.S. declined the sale, largely as a consequence of considerations concerning the French plans to equip non-American carriers with these missiles.
Given the refusal by the U.S., French management noticed a possibility to step up. They began their initiative to create a homegrown, sea-based subsonic cruise missile. Fittingly, they selected the already in-use SCALP-EG air-launched missile because the blueprint for his or her improvements.
The bold endeavor acquired the designation, Naval Scalp. With an anticipated launch vary between 1300-1400 km, the French Navy was set to start receipt of those domestically-produced missiles in 2011.
First trials
Starting in 2010, the French Navy began flight exams on the Naval Scalp, additionally known as MdCN. Nevertheless, it wasn’t till 2015 that this cruise missile attained operational readiness. Since then, it has progressively discovered its place aboard the French Navy’s ships and submarines.
When in comparison with its forerunner, the SCALP-EG, the Naval Scalp reveals some noticeable variations. It boasts a stable gasoline booster that will increase its flight vary, and a diminished fuselage width to suit a 533 mm torpedo tube.
There’s a lack of publicly out there details about the amount of MdCN models. Nevertheless, sure stories recommend that missile orders may surpass 200 models. You may sometimes discover MdCN cruise missiles on the Barracuda class nuclear submarines and FREMM venture frigates.
Traits
The rocket fuselage measures 7 meters in size and 0.5 meters in width. Reportedly, its preliminary weight is roughly 1,400 kilograms, with the warhead weighing in at round 250 kilograms. The missile can journey at speeds of practically 980 km/h, and its operational vary extends to a powerful 1,000 km.
The story behind the creation of the French naval cruise missile, MdCN, offers precious insights. It serves for instance, revealing simply how a lot effort and time it might probably take to develop an equal to the American Tomahawk missile.
SCALP in Ukraine
Ukraine first obtained the French SCALP missiles in 2022. The SCALP, also referred to as the Storm Shadow, is a long-range, air-launched, stand-off assault missile designed and developed by France’s MBDA. The missile is meant to be used in opposition to high-value, well-protected targets, and is understood for its precision and damaging energy.
The precise date of the supply shouldn’t be publicly disclosed because of the delicate nature of navy transactions. Nevertheless, it was reported within the media that the missiles arrived in Ukraine within the first half of 2022. The acquisition was a part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to modernize its navy and improve its defensive capabilities.
A memorable assault
Rybar, a Russian assume tank, shared a report on September 20 stating that Ukraine deployed quite a few SCALP [Storm Shadow] missiles directed at targets in Crimea. They steered that an assault was orchestrated by the Ukrainian forces, involving a fleet of 11 Su-24M Bombers taking off from Starokostyantyniv airfield. Out of those, 5 have been armed with Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles.
The plane break up up as soon as they reached the border of Odesa and Mykolaiv areas, with 9 staying put and the opposite two venturing south in the direction of Ochakiv. Round noon, eight Storm Shadows have been unleashed, their trajectories pointing in the direction of Crimea.
Contributing a fascinating element, reconnaissance teams from Medvedi Personal Navy Firm noticed two of the Su-24Ms, flying low, close to about 40 meters above the water, provoke launches over the Black Sea. Strikingly, this was on the heels of Ukrainian planes releasing three decoy missiles, AGM-160 MALDs, apparently making an attempt to perplex air defenses.
From the thirty first Air Pressure and Air Protection Division, Pantsir-S1 air protection crews managed to intercept 5 of the incoming cruise missiles over Cape Tarkhankut and the Belbek airfield. Three Storm Shadows made their affect within the Verkhnesadovoye space, suggesting {that a} abandoned navy facility close to the village was likely the meant goal.
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