Exocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missile

Also known as

MM38 Exocet
Exocet MM38
MM38
Mer-Mer 38 km
GWS50

The Exocet MM38 is the original French ship-launched Exocet anti-ship cruise missile, developed by Nord Aviation and later associated with Aérospatiale. MBDA describes it as the first Exocet and the first anti-ship missile to combine fire-and-forget guidance with sea-skimming flight.

Exocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missile, Ship-launched anti-ship cruise missile, Munitions

Image source: Exocet MM38.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: Nord AviationAérospatiale
Type: Ship-launched anti-ship cruise missile
Service note: 1975-2001
Designer: Nord Aviation
Designed: 1968-1972
Unit cost: About US$350,000 to $450,000
Produced: 1975-2001
Number built: 1,270

anti-ship missile cruise missile guided missile maritime naval shipboard

Specifications

Weight: 735 kg
Length: 5.21 m
Diameter: 0.35 m
Range: 38 to 42 km maximum
Guidance: Inertial guidance in the initial phase with active radar homing in the terminal phase
Warhead: 165 kg GP1A fragmentation warhead
Launch platforms: Ship-launched and coastal-defense systems

Carrier Platforms

French surface combatants such as the D'Estienne d'Orves-class / A69 type aviso carried the MM38 as part of their original anti-ship fit.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

D'Estienne d'Orves-class / A69 type aviso, Aviso / light corvette class, Naval Systems

D'Estienne d'Orves-class / A69 type aviso

Aviso / light corvette

Seaforces lists the class with two Exocet MM38 surface-to-surface missiles in the original armament fit.

Sources: Seaforces: D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered service in 1975.

Media

Exocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missile Images

Exocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missile, Ship-launched anti-ship cruise missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Exocet MM38.jpg

Exocet MM38 anti-ship cruise missile, Ship-launched anti-ship cruise missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Exocet MM38.jpg

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Sources

MBDA history: Exocet MM38Publisher: MBDA | Note: Supports the Nord Aviation development context, first operational firing in 1971, and the first fire-and-forget, sea-skimming Exocet background. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Weaponsystems.net: MM38 ExocetPublisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports the MM38 specifications, production period, number produced, and reported unit cost. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Seaforces: D'Estienne d'Orves-class avisoPublisher: Seaforces.org | Note: Supports the D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso original armament fit listing two Exocet MM38 missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Exocet MM38.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the primary image provenance for the MM38 missile in museum display. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Exocet MM38-detoured.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for a museum display view of the MM38 missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Exocet MM38 Schnellboot S78.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance for MM38 launchers aboard a German fast attack craft. | Accessed: 2026-06-27