SNEB

External images ⓘ
External images ⓘ
SNEB 68 mm rockets Helicopter
	22 round 68mm helicopter pod by Brandt
	Fact Sheet 68mm Multi-Dart Rocket

External images ⓘ
External images ⓘ
SNEB 68 mm rockets Fixed Wing Aircraft
	Harrier GR.3 firing entire salvo of 4 rocket pods
	Harrier GR.7 in flight with 2 SNEB rocket pods
	1962 Manufacture's ad for various Matra/SNEB rocket pods
	French Navy Super Etendard fitted with Type 155 SNEB rocket pods to outer pylons

A Matra Type 155 SNEB rocket launcher pod with two red-tipped 68mm dummy rockets. ⓘ

The SNEB rocket (French: Societe Nouvelle des Etablissements Edgar Brandt) is an unguided air-to-ground 68 mm (2.7 in) rocket projectile manufactured by the French company TDA Armements, designed for launch by combat aircraft and helicopters. It is also known as the SNEB rocket pod, and sometimes as the Matra rocket, due to it commonly being carried in pod-like launchers built by Matra. ⓘ

Two other rockets were developed in the 37 mm (1.5 in) and 100 mm (3.9 in) caliber. The 37mm caliber was one of the earliest folding fin free flight rockets developed after World War II; it was developed mainly for air-to-air engagements and is no longer in service. The 100mm caliber variant is in service with the French Air Force and a few other air forces. Besides France, several other nations produce the SNEB 68 mm rocket under license. In France today, SNEB has been reorganized into the firm of Thomson-Brandt. ⓘ

Development

The SNEB rockets were developed in the early 1950s by Edgar Brandt at Thomson-Brandt. Starting in 1955, the missiles were delivered to the French Air Force and to various export customers. After being renamed Thomson-Brandt Armements (TBA) in 1968, Thomson-Brandt became part of EADS in 2005. Today, SNEB missiles are produced by TDA Armements, which is part of the Thales Group. In addition, SNEB missiles are produced under license in various countries. ⓘ

Description

SNEB missiles exist in 37 mm, 68 mm and 100 mm caliber. The rockets are transported in and launched from rocket tube launchers. The rockets consist of a steel tube in which the solid rocket engine is housed. Eight fold-out stabilizing surfaces are attached to the tail of this tube. These unfold by spring force after the rocket has left the tube launch container. Various warheads can be screwed onto the steel tube with the rocket engine. The missiles are ignited electrically and can be fired individually or in salvos. SNEB missiles can be used to engage air targets as well as a wide range of ground targets. ⓘ

SNEB 37

The SNEB 37 in 37 mm caliber is the smallest missile in the SNEB family. It was designed primarily for use from helicopters and light aircraft, but could also be used by fast fighters. From the 1960s at the latest, this missile type played only a minor role, and from the 1970s it is no longer in service. ⓘ

Missiles

Only one missile type of the SNEB 37 exists. It is 0.525 m long and weighs 1.02 kg. The maximum operational distance is about 1 km. In flight, the missile rotates around its longitudinal axis at about 30 revolutions per minute. The warhead is a fragmentation warhead with an impact fuse. ⓘ

Launch canister

Two rocket tube launchers exist for SNEB 37, which can be carried by helicopters, light aircraft and fighter planes.

Matra RL 181: Cylindrical container. Weight loaded 40 kg, length 1.50 m; for 18 SNEB 37 missiles.
Matra RL 361: Cylindrical container. Weight loaded 49.5 kg, length 0.84 m; for 36 SNEB-37 rockets. ⓘ

SNEB 68

The SNEB 68 in 68 mm caliber is the main representative of the SNEB family. It is one of the most widely used air-to-surface missiles in the world, with production figures running into the millions. ⓘ

Missiles

The first SNEB-68 missiles were created in the 1950s. The missiles use two different rocket motors: the Type 25 F1B for use from fast-flying aircraft and the Type 25 H1 for use from light aircraft and helicopters. The missiles use dual-base rocket fuel. The missiles (without warhead) are 62 cm long, weigh 3.3 kg and have a wingspan of 240 mm. In flight, the rocket rotates about its longitudinal axis at 20 to 30 revolutions per second. At a firing rate of 450 to 800 m/s, the operational distance is 3 to 4 km. Depending on the target characteristics, different warheads can be screwed onto the missiles. In 1984, the SNEB Multidart 68 missiles were introduced. These rockets also use two different rocket motors: the F2 and F3 type. Composite rocket fuel is used for these. The rockets (without warhead) are 85 cm long, weigh 5.1 kg and have a wingspan of 240 mm. With a burn rate of 760 to 780 m/s, the operational range is 4 to 5 km. Primarily, the missiles are equipped with warheads with flechettes to engage soft targets, materiel and lightly armored vehicles. After a predetermined flight time, the warhead opens by an electrical impulse and releases the arrow-shaped flechettes. These spread out over a large target area according to the watering-can principle. A helicopter can strike an elliptical target area 70 m wide and 1000 m long with a full salvo of 44 SNEB multidart-68 missiles. In this area, 1936 Flechettes impact after a flight time of about 4.5 seconds. Depending on the launch speed and firing distance, the Flechettes have a speed of 400 to 500 m/s when they hit the target. Since the 2000s, TDA Armaments has marketed the ACULEUS 68 rockets, which use the F3 rocket motor with composite rocket propellant. The maximum operational distance of these missiles is 5 km. A new family of rocket tube launchers was also introduced for this new type of rocket. Depending on the target characteristics, different warheads can also be mounted on these missiles. ⓘ

Since the 1950s, the following missiles have been produced with the following warheads: ⓘ

1st generation

SNEB 68-230: Length 0.91 m, weight 4.5 kg, speed 450 m/s, warhead: 1.7-kg hollow charge with a penetrating power of about 300 mm of armor steel.
SNEB 68-250: Length 0.91 m, weight 5.1 kg, velocity 600 m/s, warhead: 1.8-kg smoke/fire.
SNEB 68-251P: Length 0.85 m, weight 4.3 kg, velocity 800 m/s, warhead: type 21 1.1-kg fragmentation warhead. For engagement of aerial targets.
SNEB 68-252: Length 0.92 m, weight 5.1 kg, warhead: 0.8-kg training warhead.
SNEB 68-253: Length 0.92 m, weight 5.1 kg, velocity 600 m/s, warhead: type 25 1.8-kg hollow charge with fragmentation jacket. Penetrates about 400 mm of armor steel. Also produces about 100 fragments of 1 gram each.
SNEB 68-256P: Length 0.92 m, weight 6.3 kg, velocity 450 m/s, warhead: type 26P 3.0-kg fragmentation warhead producing about 440 fragments of 1 gram each.
SNEB 68-257: Length 1.05 m, weight 8.2 kg, warhead; type 27 4.6-kg fragmentation warhead with a fragmentation effective circle of about 30 m.
SNEB 68-258/28SM: Missile with 5 Ogre shaped-charge bomblets. One Ogre bomblet weighs 552 g, has a fragmentation effective circle of about 11 m, and can penetrate 80 mm of armor steel.
SNEB 68-259E: Battlefield illumination missile. Warhead with parachute. Generates 1 mega-candela for 55 seconds.
SNEB 68-259L: Electronic countermeasures missile for radar deception. Warhead with chaff. ⓘ

2nd generation

Type 290 ABL (Multidart): Length 1.38 m, weight 8.2 kg, warhead: 8 flechettes with 13.5 mm diameter at 190 g each. At a velocity of 500 m/s, these have a penetrating power of 10 mm armor steel.
Type 291 AMV (Multidart): Length 1.38 m, weight 8.3 kg, warhead: 22 flechettes with 9 mm diameter at 35 g each. At a velocity of 500 m/s, these have a penetrating power of 8 mm armor steel.
Type 290 ECL (Multidart): Missile for battlefield illumination. Warhead with parachute. Generates 1 mega-candela for 60 seconds.
Type 290 M-X-FUM (Multidart): Missile for training purposes and target marking. Length 1.38 m, weight 8.2 kg, warhead with smoke/fire effect. ⓘ

3rd generation

ACULEUS 68P: Missile for training purposes. Weight 7.5 kg.
ACULEUS 68P/M: Missile for target marking. Weight 8.8 kg. Warhead with smoke/fire effect.
ACULEUS 68 MD-36: Missile with a warhead with 36 flechettes for engaging materiel and light armored vehicles. Missile weight 7.5 kg.
ACULEUS 68 MD-432: Missile with one warhead with 432 flechettes to engage soft targets and material. Missile weight 7.5 kg.
ACULEUS 68 HE-IMP: Missile with fragmentation warhead and impact fuse. Missile weight 7.5 kg.
ACULEUS 68 HE-MM: Rocket with fragmentation warhead and multi-purpose fuze (proximity fuze, impact or delay). Missile weight 8.8 kg.
ACULEUS 68 LG: ACULEUS 68 LG was developed under the designation SYROCOT (Systeme de Roquette A Corrections de Trajectoire) by TDA Armements, Thales Group, BAE Systems and MBDA. This missile is an ACULEUS-68-HE-MM missile with a semi-active laser homing head attached to its tip with four control surfaces. The missile has a weight of about 9 kg. The maximum operational distance is about 5 km and the scattering radius (CEP) should be less than 1 m, according to the manufacturer. ACULEUS 68 LG is compatible with existing SNEB systems. Another version of the ACULEUS 68 LG is the ILGR (Induction Laser Guided Rocket). This rocket has a caliber of 70 mm (2.75") and is compatible with the Hydra 70 system. ACULEUS 68 LG has been operational and in service since 2019. ⓘ

Launch canister

Two Matra F4 (Matra 155) missile tube launchers for 18 SNEB-68 missiles. ⓘ

A wide range of launch containers are available for SNEB-68 missiles for fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. These canisters are produced by both Thomson-Brandt Armements (TBA) and Matra (now MBDA) For assembly, all launch canisters have the NATO standard 356 mm (14") bomb lock. Early launch canisters had to be programmed on the ground as to whether the missiles were to be launched singly or in a salvo. On later models, this selection can be made by the pilot during flight. The launch canisters are reusable. After the rockets are launched, the launch canister remains on the aircraft and can be reloaded after landing. However, the launch canister can also be jettisoned in flight after use. Depending on the launch canister, the missiles can be fired individually or in salvos. For salvo launches, the interval between launches is 30-400 milliseconds. The following missile tube launchers exist:

Matra 116M: Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for light aircraft, helicopters and fighters. Weight loaded 134 kg. For 19 SNEB-68 missiles.
Matra 122: Cylindrical canister for light aircraft and helicopters. Weight empty 18.5 kg. For 6 SNEB-68 rockets.
Matra F1: Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for light aircraft and fighters. Weight loaded 270 kg, length 2.20 m. For 36 SNEB-68 missiles.
Matra F2: Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for light aircraft and fighters. Weight loaded 58 kg, length 2.20 m. For 6 SNEB-68 missiles.
Matra F4 (Matra 155): Cylindrical tank with aerodynamic top for fighter aircraft. Weight loaded 164 kg, length 2.40 m. For 18 SNEB-68 missiles.
Matra JL-100: Combination of a cylindrical tank for 18 SNEB-68 missiles at the top of a jettisonable auxiliary tank containing 250 liters of kerosene.
TBA 68-7: Cylindrical tank with aerodynamic tip for light aircraft. Weight loaded 73 kg, length 1.27 m. For 7 SNEB-68 rockets.
TBA 68-12C: Box-shaped container for helicopters. Weight loaded 100 kg, length 1.20 m. For 12 SNEB-68 rockets.
TBA 68-12L: Box-shaped container for helicopters. Weight loaded 130 kg, length 1.40 m. For 12 SNEB multidart-68 rockets.
TBA 68-18M: Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for fighter aircraft. Weight loaded 187 kg, length 1.35 m. For 18 SNEB-68 missiles.
TBA 68-22C: Box-shaped container for helicopters. Weight loaded 180 kg, length 1.20 m. For 22 SNEB-68 rockets.
TBA 68-22L: Box-shaped container for helicopters. Weight loaded 235 kg, length 1.40 m. For 22 SNEB multidart-68 rockets.
TBA 68-36: Box-shaped container for helicopters. For 36 SNEB multidart-68 rockets.
TBA Telson 2: Box-shaped container for helicopters, light aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Weight loaded 27 kg. For 2 ACULEUS-68 missiles.
TBA Telson 8: Box-shaped container for helicopters and light aircraft. Weight loaded 101 kg. For 8 ACULEUS-68 missiles.
TBA Telson 12: Box-shaped container for helicopters. Weight loaded 149 kg. For 12 ACULEUS-68 missiles.
TBA Telson 12JF: Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for fighter aircraft. Weight loaded 191 kg. For 12 ACULEUS-68 missiles.
TBA Telson 22: Box-shaped container for helicopters. Weight loaded 259 kg. For 22 ACULEUS-68 missiles. ⓘ

Armament sets for airplanes

Various armament sets were developed by Matra for installation in aircraft fuselages. One such set-up kit consisted of a box magazine and a launcher that protruded from the bottom of the aircraft fuselage. The rockets were electrically ignited and could be launched individually or in salvos. After deployment, the magazine in the aircraft fuselage could be reloaded with new missiles on the ground. This process took about 10 minutes. The following armament sets were developed.

Matra Type 101: For installation in the Dassault Mystère IV. Magazine with 55 SNEB-68 rockets
Matra type 104: For installation in the SNCASO SO-4050 Vautour. Magazine with 122 SNEB-68 rockets
Matra type 105: For installation in the Dassault Super Mystère. Magazine with 35 SNEB-68 rockets
Matra type 106: For installation in the Dassault Étendard IV. Magazine with 35 SNEB-68 rockets
Matra type 107: Developed for the Bréguet 1100, which was not brought to series production. Magazine with 40 SNEB-68 rockets.
Matra Type 1000: Designed for the non-production FFA P-16. 44 SNEB-68 rockets in the magazine. ⓘ

SNEB 100

At the beginning of the 1960s, Thomson-Brandt took over the armament division of Hotchkiss et Cie. With this takeover, the 100 mm rockets developed by Hotchkiss came to Thomson-Brandt. There, they were further developed into the SNEB 100. The SNEB 100 in 100 mm caliber are the largest rockets in the SNEB family. They were designed for use from helicopters and combat aircraft. The SNEB-100 missiles were operational from the year 1968. ⓘ

Missiles

The first generation of SNEB-100 missiles use a rocket motor with dual-base rocket fuel. This has a burn time of 1.1 seconds and accelerates the missiles to 275 to 280 m/s. The maximum operational distance is 2 to 3 km. Different warheads can be mounted on the missiles depending on the target characteristics. The SNEB Multidart 100 version has been in production since 1984. These missiles use the more powerful F1A rocket motor with composite rocket fuel. The maximum operational distance is 4 km. Primarily, the missiles are equipped with warheads with flechettes for engaging soft targets, materiel and lightly armored vehicles. After a predetermined flight time, the warhead opens by an electrical impulse and releases the arrow-shaped flechettes. These spread out over a large target area on the watering-can principle. A fighter aircraft can strike an elliptical target area 40 m wide and 800 m long with a full salvo of 16 SNEB Multidart 100 missiles. In this area, 3072 Flechettes impact after a flight time of about 3.5 seconds. Depending on the launch velocity and firing distance, the Flechettes have a velocity of 400-500 m/s when they hit the target. ⓘ

Since the late 1960s, the following missiles have been produced with the following warheads: ⓘ

1st generation

SNEB 100 ECCAP: Length 2.50 m, weight 38 kg. Warhead: 14.5-kg hollow charge with fragmentation jacket. Penetrating power around 600 mm of armor steel.
SNEB 100 EEG: Length 2.50 m, weight 42 kg. Warhead: 17.5-kg fragmentation warhead with impact fuse.
SNEB 100 DEM: Length 2.50 m, weight 42 kg. Warhead: 18.5 kg fragmentation warhead with impact and delay fuse. For engagement of field fortifications and building structures. Penetration capacity 150 mm armor steel, 5 m earth or 30 cm reinforced concrete.
SNEB 100 ILU: Missile for battlefield illumination. Warhead with parachute. Generates 0.75 mega-candela for 60 seconds. ⓘ

2nd generation

SNEB 100 Multidart ABL: Length 2.74 m, weight 39 kg, warhead: 36 flechettes with 13.5 mm diameter at 190 g each. At a velocity of 500 m/s, these have a penetrating power of 10 mm armor steel.
SNEB 100 Multidart AMV: Length 2.74 m, weight 38 kg, warhead: 192 flechettes with 9 mm diameter at 35 g each. At a velocity of 500 m/s, these have a penetration capacity of 8 mm armor steel.
SNEB 100 X FUM F3/F4: Length 2.50 m, weight 42 kg, warhead: training warhead with smoke/fire effect. ⓘ

Launch canister

The launch canisters are reusable. After launching the missiles, the launch canister remains on the aircraft and can be reloaded after it lands. The missiles can be fired individually or in salvos. For salvo launches, the interval between launches is 400 milliseconds. For mounting, the launch canisters have the NATO standard 356 mm (14") bomb lock. The following missile tube launch containers exist:

TBA 100-4 (F3): Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for helicopters and fighter aircraft. Empty weight 70 kg, loaded weight 240 kg, length 2.90 m. For 4 SNEB-100 missiles.
TBA 100-6 (C6): Cylindrical canister with aerodynamic tip for helicopters and combat aircraft. Empty weight 115 kg, loaded weight 370 kg, length 3.00 m. For 6 SNEB-100 missiles. ⓘ

Carrier aircraft

SNEB missiles are in service worldwide and can be used by a wide range of aircraft: ⓘ

Light and training aircraft

Alenia Aermacchi M-345
Alenia Aermacchi M-346
Aermacchi SF-260
Aermacchi MB-326
Aermacchi MB-339
Aermacchi M-290 "RediG"
BAC Strikemaster
Beechcraft T-6 "Texan II
Canadair CL-41 "Tutor
CASA C-101 "Aviojet
Cessna Skymaster
Embraer EMB 312 "Tucano
Embraer EMB 314 "Super Tucano
FMA IA 58 "Pucará
FMA IA 63 "Pampa
Folland Gnat
Hispano Aviación HA-200
K-8 "Karakorum
HAL HJT-16 "Kiran
HAL HJT-36 "Sitara
Issoire Aviation Alkan
KAI KT-1 "Woongbi
LH Aviation LH-10 Ellipse
Malmö Flygindustri MFI-9
North American T-28
Pilatus PC-7
Pilatus PC-9
Pilatus PC-21
Fouga Magister
PZL-130 "Orlik
Saab Safari
Scottish Aviation Bulldog
Soko J-20 Kraguj
Soko J-21 Jastreb
Soko Galeb
Soko G-4 Super Galeb
TAI Hürkuş
Valmet L-70 "Vinka
Zlín Z-43 ⓘ

Fighter Aircraft

Atlas Cheetah
Atlas Impala
BAE Sea Harrier
BAE Harrier II
BAE Systems Hawk
Blackburn Buccaneer
Canadair Sabre
Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet
Dassault Étendard IV
Dassault Mystère
Dassault Mystère IV
Dassault Mirage III
Dassault Mirage 5
Dassault Mirage F1
Dassault Ouragan
Dassault Super Mystère
de Havilland Sea Vixen
Douglas A-26 Invader
English Electric Canberra
English Electric Lightning
Fiat G.91
Fouga CM.170 Magister
Hawker Hunter
Hawker Siddeley Harrier
IAI Kfir
Malmö Flygindustri MFI-9
McDonnell Douglas F-4J/K/M
Morane-Saulnier Vanneau
North American F-86 Sabre
North American T-6 Texan
North American T-28S Fennec
SEPECAT Jaguar
Sud Aviation Vautour ⓘ

Helicopters

Aérospatiale SA.330 "Puma
Aérospatiale SA-319 "Alouette III" helicopter
Eurocopter AS.532/EC.725 "Cougar
Aérospatiale SA 341/342 "Gazelle
Agusta A129 "Mangusta
AgustaWestland AW109
AgustaWestland AW149
AgustaWestland AW159 "Lynx Wildcat
Airbus Helicopters H125 "Écureuil
Airbus Helicopters H135M
Bell UH-1D/N "Iroquois
Bell AH-1 "Cobra
Bell 204 "Iroquois
Bell 212 "Twin Huey
Bell 412 "Huey Plus
Boeing AH-6
Boeing AH-64 "Apache
Bölkow Bo 105
Denel AH-2 "Rooivalk
Eurocopter EC.665 "Tiger
Eurocopter EC.565 "Panther
HAL Dhruv
HAL Light Combat Helicopter
HAL Rudra
Hughes OH-6 "Cayuse
NHIndustries NH90
Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk
TAI T129 "Atak
Westland Lynx ⓘ

Bell UH-1H of the Lebanese Air Force were modified locally to carry Bombs and Matra SNEB 68 mm rocket pods taken from unserviceable Hawker Hunters
Aérospatiale Puma
Eurocopter AS332
Eurocopter AS 532
Eurocopter EC 725
Eurocopter Tiger ⓘ

Warheads

Two Matra Type 155 rocket launchers with 36× SNEB 68 mm rocket projectiles ⓘ

The SNEB rocket projectiles can be armed with the following warheads:

High explosive
High explosive anti-tank warhead
Multi-purpose fragmentation
Flechette anti-personnel/materiel
Smoke
Illuminating
Training rocket ⓘ

Laser guidance development

The Systeme de Roquette A Corrections de Trajectoire (SYROCOT) is a program where a laser-guided seeker is incorporated into the design. It is compatible with the existing SNEB system. It is comparable to the US Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System project. ⓘ