Place of origin France/United Kingdom Weight 800kg | Manufacturer MBDA Length 5m | |
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Type Multi-platform launched anti-ship & land-attack Hypersonic cruise missile Warhead A 200kg main warhead with an additional 2 x 40–50kg inertially guided effectors from lateral bays. | ||
Perseus or CVS401 Perseus - named after the hero Perseus (Greek: Περσεύς) from Greek mythology - is a stealth Supersonic cruise missile currently under development by MBDA in consultation with the Royal Navy and French Navy. The weapon was first unveiled at the 2011 Paris Air Show. CVS401 Perseus is primarily a supersonic surface-launched and submarine-launched cruise missile built around an advanced, agile and stealth aircraft airframe.
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Characteristics
MBDA describes the missile as a "Unique multi-role, multi-Platform weapon system" to be integrated on all major weapon platforms such as; warships, submarines, aircraft and land-based platforms.
The stealthy Perseus missile is planned to have capabilities similar to Brahmos, with a range of 300 km reaching speeds of Mach 3. It is powered by a ramjet motor. The missile is 5 metres in length and weighs around 800 kg, with a 200 kg "main" warhead. In addition to the main warhead, Perseus is equipped with 2x 40–50 kg inertially guided effectors (submunitions) from lateral bays which can be released before the missile hits its target. This unique feature allows Perseus to strike either several targets in the same area, or to strike a singular large one - such as an Aircraft carrier - in several different areas at once for maximum destruction. "In this case, a linear attack pattern could be selected, munitions striking the forward, centre and aft sections simultaneously. If a unitary blast is required, then the effectors remain on board the parent missile to add their blast effect to the central warhead."
Two types of attack profiles are envisaged: A high-altitude approach, for engaging land based targets and a Sea-skimming low-altitude approach followed by a pop-up maneuver for engaging surface threats like enemy warships. The missiles "skimming the sea at wave top" followed by a pop-up maneuver would only allow an estimated 3 second response time for enemy warships.
The missiles sensor suite includes;
The missile also features a "semi-active laser guidance capability." MBDA believes that this guidance method will remain important for time-sensitive targeting for many years to come. Satellite datalink is to be incorporated for "in-flight re-targeting, using thin-profile, low-observable active antenna arrays."
The missile will be VLS launched and is compatible with the American Mark 41 Vertical Launching System and the French A70 Sylver Vertical Launching System (currently fit on the FREMM of the French navy).
Potential operators
In the 2016 UK-France Security Summit, the two parties pledged to work on a "joint concept phase for the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) programme to identify solutions for replacement of the Scalp/Storm Shadow missiles for both countries, Harpoon for the UK and Exocet for France."