AM-39 Exocet vs NSM

Overview

The AM-39 Exocet and the NSM are both Anti-Ship missiles.

The NSM has a range of 185 km — 2.6x the AM-39 Exocet's 70 km. The AM-39 Exocet reaches 1,111 km/h vs 1,148 km/h for the NSM. The AM-39 Exocet carries a 165 kg warhead vs 120 kg for the NSM. Launch weight is 870 kg for the AM-39 Exocet vs 400 kg for the NSM. The AM-39 Exocet uses Inertial, radar actif guidance, while the NSM relies on GPS-aided INS, laser altimeter, TERCOM, Imaging Infra-Red.

Unit cost is $1.5M for the AM-39 Exocet vs $2.194M for the NSM. The AM-39 Exocet entered service 38 years before the NSM (1974 vs 2012).

French anti-ship missile, entered service in 1974, uses inertial and active radar guidance.
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Anti-Ship
Type Anti-ship missile
Manufacturer MBDA
Service year 1974
Number produced 4,000 units
Estimated unit price $1.5 million

NSM

Norwegian NSM, entering service in 2012, utilizes imaging infra-red for guidance.
Origin 🇳🇴 Norway
Category Anti-Ship
Type Anti-ship or land attack cruise missile
Manufacturer Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Service year 2012
Number produced -- units
Estimated unit price $2.2 million
Range 70.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 0.9
Weight 870 kg
Warhead 165.0 kg
Length 4.70 m
Diameter 350 mm
Guidance Inertial, radar actif
Warhead type High-explosive

NSM

Range 185.0 km
Maximum speed Mach 0.9
Weight 400 kg
Warhead 120.0 kg
Length 3.96 m
Diameter 700 mm
Guidance GPS-aided INS, laser altimeter, TERCOM, Imaging Infra-Red
Warhead type Titanium-cased penetrating blast and controlled fragmentation

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has longer range, the AM-39 Exocet or NSM?
The NSM has a longer range at 185 km compared to the AM-39 Exocet's 70 km.
Which is faster, the AM-39 Exocet or NSM?
The NSM is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 compared to the AM-39 Exocet's Mach 0.9.
Which has a larger warhead, the AM-39 Exocet or NSM?
The AM-39 Exocet carries a larger warhead at 165 kg compared to the NSM's 120 kg.
Which is heavier, the AM-39 Exocet or NSM?
The AM-39 Exocet is heavier at 870 kg compared to the NSM's 400 kg.
Which is longer, the AM-39 Exocet or NSM?
The AM-39 Exocet is longer at 4.70 meters compared to the NSM's 3.96 meters.
What guidance systems do the AM-39 Exocet and NSM use?
The AM-39 Exocet uses Inertial, radar actif guidance while the NSM uses GPS-aided INS, laser altimeter, TERCOM, Imaging Infra-Red guidance.
Which entered service first, the AM-39 Exocet or NSM?
The AM-39 Exocet entered service first in 1974, 38 years before the NSM which entered service in 2012.