View source for Malafon

{{mi|{{no footnotes|date=October 2018}}{{refimprove|date=October 2018}}}}

{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=Malafon
| image= Maille-Braize-14.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=Malafon launcher on the French destroyer ''Maillé-Brézé''
|origin= France
|type=[[Standoff (missile)|Standoff]] [[Anti-submarine missile]]
|used_by= [[French Navy]]
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|designer =
|production_date=
|service= 1966–1997
|engine=Solid propellant rocket motor
|weight={{convert|1330|kg|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|5.85|m|yd|abbr=on}}
|height=
|diameter={{convert|0.65|m|yd|abbr=on}}
|wingspan=
|speed= {{convert|808|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|vehicle_range= {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}}
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling={{convert|533|mm|abbr=on}} L4 torpedo
|launch_platform=Various French surface ships
}}

'''Malafon''' (MArine LAtécoère FONds) was a French ship-launched [[anti-submarine missile]] system. Developed in the 1950s and 1960s, the weapon was intended to take advantage of the greater detection ranges possible with [[towed sonar array]]s. The missile entered service in 1966 and was manufactured by [[Groupe Latécoère]]

The weapon is essentially a glider-delivered version of the [[L4 torpedo]]. The launcher is a circular mount, which allows the weapon to be rotated to the correct bearing, then fired at a fixed elevation of +15°. Two solid booster rockets accelerate it to {{convert|830|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} within 4 seconds before falling away. The unpowered glider continues at an altitude of {{convert|100|m|ft}}, altering course in mid-flight under radio control of the launch platform. Effective range was {{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=on}}. As it reaches the target, the glider drops the [[torpedo]], which splashes into the sea and commences a circular search pattern. The range of the Malafon meant that it was expected to hit the water within {{convert|800|m|ft}} of the submarine's location. The L4 torpedo had a speed of {{convert|30|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}} over a range of {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

The Malafon was a large weapon, with each missile weighing {{convert|1330|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. As a result, it was only employed on larger vessels. It was typically used for medium- and long-range submarine targets, though it could have been used against surface ships.

The system was never used at war. It was declared obsolete in 1997. It was replaced by [[Westland Lynx]] helicopters using [[Mark 46 torpedo]]es.

==Ships==
The Malafon system was fitted to the following ship classes

* {{sclass2|T 47|destroyer}}
* [[T 53-class destroyer|T56 (''La Galissonnière'')]]
* {{sclass|Suffren|frigate|1}}
* {{ship|French frigate|Aconit|F65|6}}
* {{sclass|Tourville|frigate|1}}

==Specifications==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!
! Missile
! Torpedo
|-
| Weight
| {{convert|1330|kg|lb|abbr=on}} with booster
| {{convert|540|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|-
| Speed
| {{convert|830|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|30|kn|km/h mph|abbr=on}}
|-
|Range
| {{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|-
|Length
| {{convert|5.85|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| {{convert|3.13|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|-
|}

The missile had a {{convert|3.19|m|ft|abbr=on}} wingspan, with the main body having a {{convert|65|cm|in|abbr=on}} diameter. The torpedo had a {{convert|533|mm|in|abbr=on}} diameter and could dive to {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} depth.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Malafon}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111002153819/http://www.harpoondatabases.com/Encyclopedia/Entry85.aspx Harpoondatabase]
*[http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Underwater-Warfare-Systems/Malafon-France.html Article]

[[Category:Anti-submarine missiles]]
[[Category:Cold War weapons of France]]
[[Category:Naval weapons of France]]
[[Category:Guided missiles of France]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]
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