Perseus (missile)

CVS401 Perseus
An artist's depiction of the Perseus hypersonic multi-role cruise missile concept study. Alongside it are its two effectors which have been released from the lateral bays of the parent missile.
Type	Multi-platform launched air-launched cruise missile Submarine-launched cruise missile Anti-ship missile Land-attack missile Hypersonic cruise missile
Place of origin	France/United Kingdom
Production history
Manufacturer	MBDA
Specifications
Mass	800kg
Length	5m
Warhead	A 200kg main warhead with an additional 2 x 40–50kg inertially guided effectors from lateral bays.
Engine	Ramjet motor.
Operational range	300km class
Flight altitude	Two types of attack profile are envisioned: A high-altitude approach, or a sea-skimming low-altitude approach followed by a pop-up.
Speed	Mach 5[1][N 1][|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
Guidance system	A multimode active e-scan radar and a laser radar. Also features a semi-active laser guidance capability.
Launch platform	Ship, submarine or aircraft.

Perseus or CVS401 Perseus (named after the Greek hero Perseus) is a stealth hypersonic cruise missile concept study being undertaken by MBDA^[1][2] in consultation with the Royal Navy and French Navy.^[3]

The concept study was first unveiled at the 2011 Paris Air Show.^[4][5] CVS401 Perseus is primarily a supersonic surface-launched and submarine-launched cruise missile concept built around an advanced, agile and stealthy airframe.^[6] A joint Anglo-French project has been launched to develop the missile system formally called Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) with the aim of replacing the British Harpoon and French Exocet by 2030.^[7]

Perseus was just a concept study by 10 engineers working on the design for six months.^[8][9]

Characteristics

MBDA describes the missile concept 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.^[10]

The stealthy Perseus missile concept is planned to have capabilities similar to BrahMos, with a range of 300 km reaching speeds of Mach 5. ^{[citation needed]} It is powered by a ramjet motor. The missile is 5 metres in length and weighs around 800 kg, with a payload comprising one 200 kg main and two 50 kg subsidiary warheads that can either directly contribute to the overall terminal or be ejected from lateral bays before the missile reaches its target, in effect acting as submunitions. This unique feature allows a single Perseus to either strike several targets in the same general area or to strike a single large target (such as an aircraft carrier) in several different areas simultaneously, with the aim of maximising damage.

"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."^[3]

Two types of attack profiles are envisaged: a high-altitude approach, for engaging land based targets; and a sea-skimming low-altitude approach terminating in a 'pop-up' engagement when dealing with surface threats like enemy warships.^[3]

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.^[5]

The missiles concept sensor suite includes;

• A multi-mode active e-scan radar with synthetic aperture radar and Doppler beam sharpening.
• A laser radar (lidar) for terminal phase imaging and target recognition.

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."^[3]

The missile will be VLS launched and is compatible with the American Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (to be fitted on the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigates) and the French A70 Sylver VLS (currently fitted on the FREMM of the French navy).^[10]

Potential operators

France

• French Air Force
• French Navy

United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force
• Royal Navy

In the 2016 UK–France Security Summit, the two parties pledged to work on a "joint concept phase for the 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."^[11] In the 2018 United Kingdom-France Summit, the FC/ASW programme was further affirmed. ^[12]

See also

• P-800 Oniks – a Russian supersonic anti-ship missile of the same range class.
• BrahMos – an Indo-Russian supersonic anti-ship missile derived from the P-800.
• YJ-12 – a Chinese supersonic anti-ship missile of the same range class.

References

Notes

External links

• Video - MBDA Concept Vision 2011 "Perseus"

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