The solid rocket motors for France’s strategic missiles have been designed and built in Snecma Propulsion Solide since the sixties. Today, we manufacture the rocket motors for the M45 sub-launched missile, and are developing the powerplants for the different stages of its successor, the M51 that will enter service for the French defense forces in 2010.
Snecma Propulsion Solide also houses the Tactical Propulsion Unit, which combines the industrial and technological power of a major corporation with the fast decision-making and flexibility of a small, streamlined team.For more than four decades it has designed, developed and produced propulsion systems for tactical missiles.
The company can now boast a comprehensive understanding of the key technologies needed for rocket motor design and manufacture, and notably in relating to elastomers, and ablative phenolic and thermostructural composites.
Snecma Propulsion Solide can also produce entire units, such as aft assemblies (nozzles), deflectors, igniters and filament-wound composite structures. We are one of the few manufacturers in the world that can offer series production of solid rocket motors with a wound composite casing. This type of motor powers MBDA’s Mistral ground-to-air missile, which is a global success story. Snecma Propulsion Solide also produces 100% composite material motors for the Super 530D air-to-air missile carried by the Mirage 2000 fighter.