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Anti-ship Missile

AM39 Exocet

A guided missile designed to skim right above the waves and blast enemy ships.

Argentina Introduced 1979 AérospatialeRole: Air-to-surface anti-ship missile

Specifications

Weight
1,440 pounds
Range
31 to 43 miles
Speed
680 mph
Warhead
364-pound explosive charge
The AM39 Exocet of Argentina

History

The Exocet was a modern French anti-ship missile bought by Argentina. It carried its own radar brain inside its nose to find and steer into large metal ships at high speeds.

Argentina had only a small number of air-launched Exocet missiles when the conflict started. Pilots launched them from Super Étendard jets miles away from the target, making it difficult for ships to defend themselves.

This missile proved to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the war. It caused heavy damage to the British fleet and sank major vessels like HMS Sheffield.

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