Exocet MM38 anti-ship missile

Also known as

MM38
Exocet MM38
MM38 Exocet
Mer-Mer 38
GWS50

Exocet MM38 is the original French ship-launched Exocet anti-ship missile developed by Nord Aviation and later carried into the MBDA family. MBDA describes it as the first Exocet to combine fire-and-forget guidance with sea-skimming flight, while reference sources place its surface-launched range in the 38 to 42 km class.

Exocet MM38 anti-ship missile, Surface-launched anti-ship missile, Munitions

Image source: Exocet MM38.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: Nord AviationAérospatialeMBDA
Type: Surface-launched anti-ship missile
Service note: 1975-2001
Unit cost: About $350,000 to $450,000
Produced: 1975-2001
Number built: 1,270

anti-ship missile anti-ship guided missile surface warfare

Specifications

Length: 5.21 m
Diameter: 0.35 m
Weight: 735 kg
Range: 38 to 42 km
Guidance: Inertial mid-course guidance with active radar homing terminal guidance
Warhead: 165 kg blast-fragmentation
Speed: About Mach 0.9
Launch mode: Surface-launched from warships or coastal defense launchers

Carrier Platforms

Surface-launched Exocet MM38 missiles were carried by French frigates, including the Floréal class before the French ships removed their launchers in 2014.

Platform	Type	Evidence
Floréal class frigate	Surveillance frigate	Seaforces lists two MM38 Exocet missiles in midships launchers and says the French ships removed those launchers in 2014.

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered French Navy service in 1975; production ended in 2001 after the missile was superseded by later Exocet variants.
Used by: French Navy

Media

Exocet MM38 anti-ship missile Images

Exocet MM38 anti-ship missile, Surface-launched anti-ship missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Exocet MM38 Schnellboot S78.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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Sources

Our History | MBDAPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports Exocet MM38 development by Nord Aviation, the first operational firing in 1971, and the missile's place in the MBDA family lineage. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 MM40 Exocet MM38 AM39 SM39 SM40 SSM anti ship missile MBDAPublisher: seaforces.org | Note: Supports MM38 Exocet surface-launch background, published dimensions, weight, range, warhead, guidance, and the missile's sea-skimming Exocet lineage. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 MM38 Exocet - WeaponSystems.netPublisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports MM38 Exocet technical data, reported unit cost, production period, and broad service overview. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Floreal class Frigate French Navy Marine Nationale FregatePublisher: seaforces.org | Note: Supports the Floréal-class carriage of two MM38 Exocet missiles in midships launchers before the French ships removed the launchers in 2014. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Exocet MM38.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary MM38 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Exocet MM38 Schnellboot S78.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the MM38 launcher gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27