"The Pluton Missile Delivery System was developed by France as a short-ranged nuclear counter to an invading Soviet force emerging from East Germany."
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Pluton Tactical Battlefield Missile Delivery Vehicle.
1 x Renault-Saviem HS110 12-cylinder diesel-fueled engine developing 691 horsepower. Installed Power
40 mph 65 kph Road Speed
373 miles 600 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the Pluton Tactical Battlefield Missile Delivery Vehicle.
4 (MANNED) Crew
25.5 ft 7.76 meters O/A Length
10.2 ft 3.1 meters O/A Width
12.0 ft 3.65 meters O/A Height
79,366 lb 36,000 kg | 39.7 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Pluton Tactical Battlefield Missile Delivery Vehicle.
1 x Battlefield missile mounting either conventional or nuclear warhead.
AMMUNITION: 1 x Missile.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Pluton family line.
Like other major players of the Cold War (1947-1991), the nation of France invested heavily in a stock of nuclear weapons for its inventory. One of the key delivery systems became a tracked vehicle based on the chassis of the AMX-30 tank already in circulation with French armed forces. Coupled with a new missile designed to succeed the aging American-originated "Honest John", the vehicle became known as the "Pluton" missile delivery system. It entered service in 1974 and held an operational-level presence in the French inventory up until 1993. The French concern of SNIAS managed its production.
The French Army arranged no fewer than five regiments armed with the Pluton missile delivery system. The missile itself was a short-ranged tactical ballistic missile charged with rapid response to Soviet aggression - most likely to originate from East Germany and entering France by way of West German soil. The missile, sitting partially exposed in a hardened housing atop the vehicle, utilized a Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) and carried either nuclear or conventional warheads for the battlefield missile role. The missile relied on a single-stage solid fueled rocket booster and ranged out to 120 kilometers, reaching speeds of 1,100 meters per second. Guidance was through inertial means. The projectile measured 7.6 meters long and weighed 2,400 kilograms. Firing was through an accompanying Berliet 6x6 military truck which carried the necessary comms equipment.
A crew of four operated the Pluton vehicle and operating weight reached 36,000 kilograms. Road ranges reached 370 miles and speeds topped at 65 kmh from the Renault-Saviem HS110 12-cylinder diesel engine fitted. No self-defense weapons were installed.
One of the key limitations of the Pluton missile system was its range so the "Super Pluton" was proposed as a successor. However, the "Hades" nuclear weapon was furthered instead - leading the Pluton series to be slowly retired from service during the early 1990s.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Pluton. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 30 Units Contractor(s): SNIAS - France
[ France ]
Going Further... The Pluton Tactical Battlefield Missile Delivery Vehicle appears in the following collections:
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.
