Latécoère Rockets: Malaface, A Cruise Missile Precursor

Paper number

IAC-07-E4.2.09

Author

Mr. Philippe Jung, AAAF, France

Coauthor

Mr. Jean Robert, AAAF, France

Coauthor

Coauthor

Mr. Jean-Jacques Serra, AAAF, France

Year

2007

Abstract

At the end of World War II, the famous Latécoère company was in pretty bad shape,without any substantial order for planes or seaplanes. So, like many companies in France, it started working in 1948 in the new field of unmanned vehicles, in particular on a short range air-to-air missile, the Latécoère 240 for the protection of seaplanes. In early 1951, it then undertook a preliminary study for the Latécoère 258D (D for défensif), carrying a bomb on a range of up to 30 km, at a cruising speed of 240 m/s (860 km/h).  
	At that time, the French Navy was developing an ambitious programme of guided weapons, to become the main equipment of its future ships. Latécoère thus was entrusted with three tasks within this program:  
- a ramjet-powered surface-to-air missile, the MASALCA;  
- a rocket-powered surface-to-surface missile, the MALAFACE;  
- a rocket-boosted flying torpedo for anti-submarine warfare, that became the MALAFON.  
	This paper deals with the only liquid-fuelled rocket of the series, the MALAFACE (MArine LAtécoère surFACE). It provides the most complete description currently available on the latter, from the technical requirements expressed in 1953 by Marine, until the final flights in 1958. In 1956, three versions of the MALAFACE were considered by the Navy to temporarily equip its vessels between 1963 and 1970: the first one for anti-ship duties, the second one against ground targets and the third one for anti-submarine warfare. Actually, only ten MALAFACE, of the first version, were built and flown, some of them up to three times. The second variant never flew and the third one evolved into the MALAFON. Each version is described, including the guidance principles intended to be used for the operational missile. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-E4.2.09.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-E4.2.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.