Sud X 410/AS², an air-launched tactical missile project

Paper number

IAC-17,E4,2,7,x38939

Author

Mr. Philippe Jung, Association Aéronautique & Astronautique de France (3AF), France

Year

2017

Abstract

While the Sud Aviation X 407/SSBT* Casseur nuclear missile had been cancelled in October 1959 at the beginning of manufacturing, work on its elements related to the SEREB (Société pour l’Etude et la Réalisation d’Engins Balistiques) SSBS** program had continued, i.e. inertial guidance and advanced solid propulsion. Another aim being keeping the competencies of GTC (Groupe Technique de Cannes), at the time the only experienced prime contractor for weapons systems in France, several studies continued there in parallel, such as air-launched versions.
With the whirlwind progress of the deterrent force test vehicles VE’s (Véhicule d’Essais) for SEREB from October 1960, GTC studied in mid-1961 a new air-launched tactical missile using the VE 111 Topaze motor, the X 410. This was at a time when the USA and the UK were developing similar Skybolt and Blue Steel missiles respectively. It however quickly gave way to a whole family of missile projects, culminating with history’s first cruise missile, the X 422 flown in 1967.
Thanks again to the last minute saving of the archives of Jean Escursan, the SSBT manager and later technical director in Cannes, the first details on the X 410 now are emerging, as revealed in this paper.

The latter thus continues with our long tradition of unraveling the secret history of the French rockets of the 50’s and early 60’s.

*Sol Sol Balistique Tactique (Surface to Surface Ballistic Tactical)
**Sol Sol Balistique Stratégique (Surface to Surface Ballistic Strategic)

Abstract document

IAC-17,E4,2,7,x38939.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-17,E4,2,7,x38939.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.