Warplanes: September 19, 2001

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Europe's MBDA consortium is working on a naval version of the Scalp cruise missile. Scalp is to be carried by new European fighters (Rafale, Typhoon, Mirage-2000, Tornado, and Harrier). Europe wants a version that could be carried by ships or submarines to provide precision strike capabilities. (Currently, the only European sea-based capability of this type is the Tomahawks on British submarines.) France plans to base the new missile on six submarines and seventeen new frigates.--Stephen V Cole