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France MBDA
Exocet AM39
French air-launched anti-ship cruise missile, the air-launched variant of the Exocet family fired from fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
In service since 1979
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗
70
km range
0.93
Mach
165
kg warhead
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
French export-licensed
CIEEMG inter-ministerial approval; broadly export-oriented.
Channel: DGA / direct commercial
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 1979. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Competitive field
188 comparable systems from 43 other manufacturers
Counted in the WeaponSpecs database: missiles built by another manufacturer. A count of what this catalog holds, not a survey of the whole market. See the alternatives →
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 0.93 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 70 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 165 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | High-explosive fragmentation |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Inertial navigation (mid-course), Active radar homing (terminal) |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 4.69 m |
|---|---|
| Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles. | 0.35 m |
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 670 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | Two-stage solid-propellant motor (booster and sustainer) |
|---|---|
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Solid-fuel rocket |
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | Radio altimeter for sea-skimming cruise, Active RF homing seeker |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public MBDA and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-05.
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Exocet AM39 vs
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the MBDA Exocet AM39? +
The MBDA Exocet AM39 has a maximum range of 70 km.
How much does the MBDA Exocet AM39 weigh? +
The MBDA Exocet AM39 has a combat weight of 670 kg.
What engine does the MBDA Exocet AM39 use? +
The MBDA Exocet AM39 is powered by the Two-stage solid-propellant motor (booster and sustainer).
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