133:
572:(designed to separate the two stages when the propellant in the first had been exhausted). The missile had a range of 55 km (34 mi) and possessed a large, for an anti-aircraft weapon, 100 kg (220 lb) high explosive (HE) blast fragmentation warhead. This was perhaps to overcome shortcomings in accuracy as, coupled with a proximity fuse, any aircraft the missile failed to hit could still be caught in its blast.
696:
the first two missiles were destroyed or had missed, the following missiles could be immediately gathered in to re-attack the same target or, if the first target had been destroyed, allocated to attack another. However, at two tonnes, the MASURCA missile was not the easiest of missiles to handle, and reloading of the launch arms was relatively long, leading to a delay between the first and any subsequent salvo of missiles.
25:
617:
674:
Whereas the weight of 48 missiles is 96 t (94 long tons; 106 short tons), counting the entire weapon system as a whole, the weight was closer to 450 t (440 long tons; 500 short tons). This great weight imposed a limit on the minimum hull size that could deploy the system, and was one reason
715:
receiver built into the missile, which homed in on the CW radar return of the illumination radar. This CW return, reflected from the target, would be scattered in all directions however the closer the missile came to the target, the "brighter" the target would appear increasing the chance of a hit.
695:
Missiles could be launched before targets come into range, anticipating their future position. It was also possible for more than two missiles to be launched simultaneously. Although only two could be actively controlled, the launch arms would send the following missiles in the right direction. If
409:
In 1948 France embarked on a number of programs to develop guided missile systems, the aim being to keep pace with the other Great Powers. The proliferation of high-speed threats, be they underwater, surface or aerial threats, required the development of effective defences. High-priority programs
732:
The number of MASURCA ship-sets was repeatedly reduced in line with reductions in the French naval budget. The six complete systems that were initially ordered was very quickly reduced to five. Heavy and complex to introduce, MASURCA required a vessel with a minimum displacement of at least
724:
The MASURCA was a medium-range area defence missile, intended not just for the self-protection of the vessel it is deployed aboard but to provide air defence to accompanying vessels. MASURCA was for over thirty years, together with other systems, responsible for providing anti-aircraft and
631:
A twin arm launcher of 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons), 4 m (4.4 yd) high and 4.45 m (4.87 yd) wide, trainable in elevation and azimuth. Providing the initial direction of the missile to the target, it could launch missiles at elevations from +6° to
575:
The booster was designed to expend all its fuel in about 5 seconds, accelerating the missile to a velocity of 800 m/s (2,600 ft/s) on separation. After separation of the two stages, and the missile was heading towards the target at a terminal velocity of
514:
MASURCA had been intended as the principal air defence weapon of France's first generation of guided-missile ships (known as FLE or frégates lance-engins in the French parlance of the time). Initially MASURCA was to have armed the six units of the
733:
5,000 t (4,900 long tons; 5,500 short tons), requiring more expensive ships than France at the time was willing to fund. The budget allocation for 1960-1965, adopted on 6 December 1960, therefore allowed for no more than three units of the
687:
for terminal guidance requiring radar illumination of the target by its parent warship. This was provided by two groups of DRBR-51 tracking and illumination radars, allowing MASURCA equipped ships to simultaneously engage two targets.
691:
Once a target had been identified by the DRBI-23 three-dimensional radar and prioritised, the two DRBR-51 radars would be locked onto the two most dangerous targets and once they have come into range the missiles would be fired.
635:
A working chamber located to the rear of the launch arms and pedestal. This chamber permitted the mounting and unfolding of the rear tail control services and facilitated the loading of the missiles onto the launch
699:
This mode of operation was common to both the service variants of the MASURCA, the mod 2 and the mod 3. The mod 2 was relatively primitive, the missile had no way of perceiving the target other than through the
649:
A missile assembly cradle. It was difficult to assemble more than 12 missiles in a day's work, in particular ceramic components within the missiles were very susceptible to shock damage during assembly.
613:
Laymen tend to think of a weapon system as consisting only of the weapon itself, in this case the missile, however with MASURCA (and for that matter most missile systems) this is far from the truth.
708:
one, the accuracy of the missile dependent on the tracking systems ability to maintain a lock on the target which could become indistinct with increasing range, altitude and speed of the target.
511:
France subsequently developed the Mk2 mod2 (Mark 2 modification 2) which deployed from 1966. This was later improved to MK2 mod 3 standard in 1970, and was updated again between 1983 and 1985.
623:
seen from aft port, to the stern is the twin armed MASURCA launcher, forward of which (in two tiers) are the fire control radars, the large radome conceals the DRBI-23 three-dimensional radar.
471:
in a building especially built for experimentation. 50 test firings would be made in the period up to 1968, concluding with operational validation aboard the then newly commissioned frigate
480:
After the initial version, known as the Mark 1, came the Mark 2 which benefited from knowledge and technology transfer from the United States. France was in the process of modernising its
958:
948:
643:
consisting of two horizontal silos for the storage of 17 ready to fire missiles and space for a single missile to undergo verification for proper operation
796:
These three ships would be used on numerous missions to provide air-defence cover for French fleets and allies in peacekeeping and military operations:
583:
This mode of operation meant that the missile had a minimum intercept altitude of 30 metres (98 ft) which in theory left it unable to intercept
410:
were initiated to cover all areas: anti-aircraft, anti-surface and anti-submarine. Of these programs two achieved operational status; these were:
943:
716:
In addition the reaction time of the missile reduced as the range to the target decreased, which was not true of the radio controlled mod 2.
382:. Planned as the primary air defence missile system of the first generation of French guided missile ships, it was used only aboard the two
441:. Although the MARUCA program was ultimately abandoned because of impracticability, experience from its development would not go to waste.
760:
953:
742:
905:
452:. The MASURCA was a DTCN (Direction Technique des Constructions Navales i.e. Naval Construction Department) program working through
108:
545:
Over time the number of missiles has declined with the winding down of the program and the retirement of its launch platforms.
46:
831:
537:
396:
925:
748:
598:
The Mark 1: this was a basic version, it was used during all qualification tests but also for a time aboard the
Suffren.
765:
but was not available during her construction. This final MASURCA system was later to be installed aboard the cruiser
89:
819:
MASURCA was retired from service in 2009 without ever having been fired in anger, it was replaced in service by the
591:
aircraft. However even blind the 100 kg (220 lb) warhead meant that some result would have been achieved.
61:
333:
35:
601:
The Mark 2 Mod 2: this was the first operational version. This relatively primitive version was retired in 1975.
684:
429:(MArine SURface Contre-Avions i.e. Naval surface anti-aircraft) for the area and high-priority air defense role
337:
68:
42:
527:
781:
equipped T-47 fleet escorts, in addition to three ships with, for their time, capable air defence systems,
519:
class, however with the termination of the class at two ships, the only ships to ship with the system were
820:
533:
472:
375:
420:
75:
824:
737:
class. However the third ship was to be finally cancelled in order to free funds for the purchase of 42
712:
550:
383:
434:
726:
640:
569:
481:
57:
805:
738:
659:
757:
653:
711:
The final service version, the mod 3, was a true semi-active radar homing (SARH) missile with a
901:
855:
813:
132:
774:
588:
464:
449:
914:
This article's content is based on the corresponding article in the French
Knowledge (XXG).
893:
850:
438:
705:
701:
273:
258:
937:
845:
778:
493:
485:
82:
584:
577:
524:
379:
318:
233:
5.38 m (17 ft 8 in) + 3.32 m (10 ft 11 in) booster
24:
568:
The complete missile weighed over two tonnes composed of two stages joined by
468:
860:
809:
797:
415:
393:
389:
616:
549:
was placed into reserve in 2009 replaced by the air-defence frigate
225:
950 kg (2,090 lb) + 1,148 kg (2,531 lb) booster
615:
457:
801:
675:
why MASURCA was limited to only three ships of the French Navy.
433:
France had already been working on an anti-aircraft missile the
18:
313:
667:
A single SENIT 2 automatic tactical information processor
898:
The Naval
Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems
812:(1990–1991), Opération Balbuzard (1993-1994, during the
604:
The Mark 2 Mod 3: this was the last operational version.
488:
program offered by the United States as equipment for
580:
3, the terminal radar guidance system was initiated.
646:
A magazine for the storage of unassembled missiles.
356:
344:
325:
312:
304:
292:
284:
265:
253:
245:
237:
229:
221:
216:
208:
200:
192:
184:
179:
171:
163:
158:
150:
142:
123:
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
900:. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
769:during her 1970-1972 refit. This allowed the
679:Operation of the mod 2 and 3, and constraints
423:Naval underwater) for the anti-submarine role
8:
594:MASURCA was manufactured in three versions:
492:, and experience from the deployment of the
484:fleet escorts and it received data from the
308:20,000–30,000 m (66,000–98,000 ft)
959:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s
741:fighters to serve aboard the new carriers
120:
448:began work on a supersonic missile using
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
756:The third ship-set was destined for the
670:Target designators for weapon assignment
664:A single DRBI-23 three-dimensional radar
627:The MASURCA weapon system consisted of:
288:Matra solid rocket booster and sustainer
949:Naval surface-to-air missiles of France
872:
704:, the missile operating in effect as a
374:missile was a first-generation naval
7:
249:0.770 m (2 ft 6.3 in)
241:0.406 m (1 ft 4.0 in)
47:adding citations to reliable sources
16:French naval surface-to-air missile
467:, the focus moving in 1960 to the
437:, derived from the wartime German
14:
463:The first tests were made on the
378:system developed and used by the
725:anti-missile protection for the
656:with two associated illuminators
131:
23:
34:needs additional citations for
1:
944:Naval surface-to-air missiles
532:and, in her incarnation as a
439:Henschel Hs 117 Schmetterling
727:French carrier battle groups
419:(MArine LAtécoère FONd i.e.
924:The Friends of the Colbert
137:Masurca missile on launcher
975:
954:Cold War weapons of France
257:100 kg (220 lb)
212:Mk1, Mk2 mod2 and Mk2 mod3
720:Deployment and operations
392:and as a retrofit to the
279:
151:Place of origin
130:
685:semi-active radar homing
338:Semi-active radar homing
587:anti-ship missiles and
300:55 km (34 mi)
825:Horizon-class frigates
624:
559:System characteristics
534:guided missile cruiser
376:surface-to-air missile
146:Surface-to-air missile
773:to field a four ship
713:continuous-wave radar
660:Fire control Computer
619:
570:pyrotechnic fasteners
43:improve this article
823:missile aboard the
261:blast-fragmentation
758:helicopter carrier
625:
180:Production history
814:Siege of Sarajevo
683:MASURCA utilised
609:The weapon system
450:solid-propellants
368:
367:
119:
118:
111:
93:
966:
911:
894:Friedman, Norman
880:
879:Friedman, p. 226
877:
771:Marine Nationale
352:Control surfaces
315:
135:
126:
121:
114:
107:
103:
100:
94:
92:
51:
27:
19:
974:
973:
969:
968:
967:
965:
964:
963:
934:
933:
921:
908:
892:
889:
884:
883:
878:
874:
869:
851:RIM-67 Standard
842:
816:by the Serbs).
722:
681:
654:tracking radars
611:
566:
561:
490:Dupetit-Thouars
407:
361:
359:
349:
347:
330:
328:
297:
295:
280:
270:
268:
164:In service
159:Service history
138:
124:
115:
104:
98:
95:
52:
50:
40:
28:
17:
12:
11:
5:
972:
970:
962:
961:
956:
951:
946:
936:
935:
930:
929:
920:
919:External links
917:
916:
915:
912:
906:
888:
885:
882:
881:
871:
870:
868:
865:
864:
863:
858:
853:
848:
841:
838:
833:Chevalier Paul
721:
718:
706:command guided
702:proximity fuse
680:
677:
672:
671:
668:
665:
662:
657:
650:
647:
644:
637:
633:
610:
607:
606:
605:
602:
599:
565:
562:
560:
557:
536:, the cruiser
454:ECAN de Ruelle
446:ECAN de Ruelle
431:
430:
424:
406:
403:
366:
365:
362:
357:
354:
353:
350:
345:
342:
341:
331:
326:
323:
322:
316:
314:Maximum speed
310:
309:
306:
305:Flight ceiling
302:
301:
298:
293:
290:
289:
286:
282:
281:
277:
276:
274:Proximity fuze
271:
266:
263:
262:
255:
251:
250:
247:
243:
242:
239:
235:
234:
231:
227:
226:
223:
219:
218:
217:Specifications
214:
213:
210:
206:
205:
202:
198:
197:
194:
190:
189:
186:
182:
181:
177:
176:
173:
169:
168:
165:
161:
160:
156:
155:
152:
148:
147:
144:
140:
139:
136:
128:
127:
117:
116:
31:
29:
22:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
971:
960:
957:
955:
952:
950:
947:
945:
942:
941:
939:
932:
927:
923:
922:
918:
913:
909:
907:0-87021-793-3
903:
899:
895:
891:
890:
886:
876:
873:
866:
862:
859:
857:
854:
852:
849:
847:
846:RIM-2 Terrier
844:
843:
839:
837:
835:
834:
829:
826:
822:
817:
815:
811:
807:
803:
800:(1980–1986),
799:
794:
792:
788:
784:
780:
779:RIM-24 Tartar
776:
772:
768:
764:
763:
759:
754:
752:
751:
746:
745:
740:
736:
730:
728:
719:
717:
714:
709:
707:
703:
697:
693:
689:
686:
678:
676:
669:
666:
663:
661:
658:
655:
651:
648:
645:
642:
638:
634:
630:
629:
628:
622:
618:
614:
608:
603:
600:
597:
596:
595:
592:
590:
586:
581:
579:
573:
571:
563:
558:
556:
554:
553:
548:
543:
541:
540:
535:
531:
530:
526:
522:
518:
512:
509:
507:
503:
499:
495:
494:RIM-24 Tartar
491:
487:
486:RIM-2 Terrier
483:
478:
476:
475:
470:
466:
465:Île du Levant
461:
459:
455:
451:
447:
442:
440:
436:
428:
425:
422:
418:
417:
413:
412:
411:
404:
402:
400:
399:
395:
391:
388:
386:
381:
377:
373:
363:
355:
351:
343:
339:
335:
332:
324:
320:
317:
311:
307:
303:
299:
291:
287:
283:
278:
275:
272:
264:
260:
256:
252:
248:
244:
240:
236:
232:
228:
224:
220:
215:
211:
207:
203:
199:
195:
191:
187:
183:
178:
174:
170:
166:
162:
157:
153:
149:
145:
141:
134:
129:
122:
113:
110:
102:
99:February 2024
91:
88:
84:
81:
77:
74:
70:
67:
63:
60: –
59:
55:
54:Find sources:
48:
44:
38:
37:
32:This article
30:
26:
21:
20:
931:
897:
887:Bibliography
875:
832:
827:
818:
795:
790:
786:
782:
770:
766:
762:Jeanne d'Arc
761:
755:
749:
743:
739:F-8 Crusader
734:
731:
723:
710:
698:
694:
690:
682:
673:
652:Two DRBR-51
626:
620:
612:
593:
585:sea skimming
582:
574:
567:
551:
546:
544:
538:
528:
520:
516:
513:
510:
505:
501:
497:
489:
479:
473:
469:Ile d'Oléron
462:
453:
445:
443:
432:
426:
414:
408:
397:
384:
371:
369:
336:initial and
193:Manufacturer
172:Used by
167:1968 to 2009
105:
96:
86:
79:
72:
65:
53:
41:Please help
36:verification
33:
564:The missile
525:sister ship
380:French Navy
294:Operational
196:ECAN Ruelle
938:Categories
867:References
744:Clemenceau
589:low flying
482:T 47-class
267:Detonation
69:newspapers
506:Du Chayla
421:Latécoère
269:mechanism
58:"Masurca"
928:(French)
896:(1989).
861:Sea Dart
840:See also
821:Aster 30
810:Gulf War
808:(1989),
787:Duquesne
775:squadron
641:magazine
547:Duquesne
529:Duquesne
498:Kersaint
444:In 1955
390:frigates
360:platform
346:Steering
340:terminal
334:Inertial
327:Guidance
246:Wingspan
238:Diameter
209:Variants
201:Produced
185:Designed
125:Masurca
926:Masurca
856:Seaslug
798:Lebanon
791:Colbert
783:Suffren
767:Colbert
735:Suffren
621:Suffren
539:Colbert
521:Suffren
517:Suffren
496:aboard
474:Suffren
427:MASURCA
416:MALAFON
405:History
398:Colbert
394:cruiser
385:Suffren
372:Masurca
254:Warhead
83:scholar
904:
828:Forbin
806:Daguet
552:Forbin
523:, her
504:, and
502:Bouvet
435:Maruca
387:-class
358:Launch
348:system
329:system
285:Engine
230:Length
175:France
154:France
85:
78:
71:
64:
56:
636:arms.
632:+70°.
458:Matra
296:range
90:JSTOR
76:books
902:ISBN
830:and
802:Iraq
789:and
750:Foch
747:and
578:Mach
456:and
370:The
364:ship
319:Mach
222:Mass
204:1966
188:1960
143:Type
62:news
777:of
321:3.0
45:by
940::
836:.
793:.
785:,
753:.
729:.
639:A
555:.
542:.
508:.
500:,
477:.
460:.
401:.
259:HE
910:.
804:(
112:)
106:(
101:)
97:(
87:·
80:·
73:·
66:·
39:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
