According to a recent report on the website of Defense News, European defense contractor European Missile Group has developed a new type of submarine launched missile aimed at striking highly protected naval vessels and stealth targets. This French made missile, codenamed SM40, is the latest model of the "Flying Fish" family. Officials from the company told Defense News that the main difference between this missile and its predecessor SM39 is that it integrates a new J-band RF seeker, a new algorithm tailored for high-intensity environments, and twice the coverage range. Pierre Marie Beyaro, the head of deep strike missile business development at the European Missile Group, said, "It uses a new turbojet engine, doubling its range to 120 kilometers to restore standoff distance in anti submarine warfare." Beyaro also said that the SM40 is designed specifically to equip submarines manufactured by the Navy Group, indicating that these two systems will share the same customer base established by this French shipyard worldwide. SM39 has been in service in navies of many countries around the world, including France and India. Bayalo pointed out that although this new type of submarine launched missile is tailor-made to defeat heavily protected combat vessels and stealth targets, it also has land attack capabilities, such as striking ships in ports. Similar to its predecessor, the SM40 also uses the same launch method: a propulsion and guidance underwater vehicle. Missiles are installed in spacecraft, and once the spacecraft breaks through the water surface, the missiles will be ejected. The SM40 has not yet been put into production, but according to representatives from the European Missile Group, given that it is based on existing and mature technology, the time required to launch it on the market should be greatly reduced. According to a company press release, at the European International Naval Equipment Exhibition held in Paris from November 4th to 7th, the European Missile Group showcased a "Flying Fish" MM40 B3C missile to commemorate the production of the 4000th "Flying Fish" missile. (New Society)