Report: V-MAX2 marks a new phase in France’s hypersonic weapons strategy

Concept rendering of France’s VMAX2 hypersonic glider. (Army Recognition Group)

France Accelerates Hypersonic Weapons Development with V-MAX2 Program: From V-MAX Success to Strategic Nuclear Deterrence

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

France is executing a comprehensive hypersonic weapons strategy spanning conventional and nuclear capabilities, with V-MAX2 testing planned for 2025, SyLex demonstrator flights in 2027, and the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile deployment by 2035. This multi-phase program positions France as a major hypersonic power alongside the U.S., Russia, and China, while modernizing its nuclear deterrent with Mach 6-7 capable weapons that can penetrate advanced missile defenses.

V-MAX2 Pushes France Toward Hypersonic Leadership as Nuclear Modernization Advances

France is rapidly advancing its hypersonic weapons capabilities through an ambitious multi-phase program that positions the nation as a major player in next-generation warfare technologies. Following the successful test of its V-MAX hypersonic glider in June 2023, France is now preparing for enhanced demonstrations while simultaneously developing revolutionary nuclear deterrent systems.

V-MAX Breakthrough Demonstrates French Hypersonic Capabilities

On June 26, 2023, France achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing its first hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). The V-MaX (Véhicule Manoeuvrant Expérimental) demonstrator, launched at 10 pm from the Biscarrosse missile range on France's Bay of Biscay coast, exceeded Mach 5 speeds and showcased the nation's technological prowess in this challenging domain.

The test revealed extensive US-French cooperation, with the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center providing a Terrier-Oriole rocket system as the launch vehicle. This collaboration, which began in early 2020, included infrastructure development, personnel training, and technical support from American companies including Corvid Technologies, Kratos Defense, and Peraton.

V-MAX2: Next Generation Development

Building on this success, France has already approved V-MAX2, a more sophisticated demonstrator planned for 2025. According to Admiral Charles-Henri du Che, ArianeGroup's military advisor, this enhanced version will feature improved performance and "go farther in flight testing." The V-MAX2 represents a technological leap toward operational capabilities, incorporating advanced control systems and innovative aerodynamic designs that bring it closer to a deployable weapon system.

Strategic Context: Global Hypersonic Competition

France's hypersonic development occurs within an increasingly competitive international landscape. Currently, only a handful of nations—the United States, Russia, and China—possess operational or near-operational hypersonic weapons. These weapons' ability to exceed Mach 5 while maneuvering unpredictably through the atmosphere makes them extremely difficult to intercept, rendering traditional missile defense systems largely ineffective.

Advanced Research: SyLex Program Targets Extreme Speeds

France's ambitions extend beyond conventional hypersonic weapons to experimental platforms pushing technological boundaries. The SyLex program, demonstrated at the 2025 Paris Air Show, aims to achieve unprecedented speeds of Mach 16 (approximately 20,000 km/h) by 2027. This research initiative represents a critical step toward understanding extreme hypersonic flight dynamics and materials science.

Nuclear Modernization: ASN4G Program

The most strategically significant development is the ASN4G (Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération) nuclear missile program. Scheduled for deployment by 2035, this scramjet-powered, air-launched hypersonic cruise missile will replace the current ASMP-A in France's nuclear deterrent arsenal.

The ASN4G will achieve Mach 6-7 speeds with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers—more than double the current ASMP-A capability. This enhanced performance ensures the missile can penetrate increasingly sophisticated air defense systems while maintaining France's credible nuclear deterrent through the 2050s.

Supporting this development, the MIHYSYS program launched in 2024 focuses on hypersonic propulsion technologies, including advanced combustion chamber designs and quantum computing applications for propulsion optimization.

Major Contractors and International Partnerships

France's hypersonic development combines domestic expertise with strategic international cooperation:

Primary French Contractors:

• ArianeGroup: Prime contractor for V-MAX programs, leveraging expertise in ballistic launchers and atmospheric re-entry systems
• MBDA France: Leading ASN4G nuclear missile development with advanced scramjet technology
• ONERA: Central research partner for aerothermodynamic modeling and hypersonic technologies
• Thales: Contributing sensors, defense systems, and integration capabilities

US Collaboration: The V-MAX program benefits from substantial American support through the Naval Surface Warfare Center, which provided launch systems, infrastructure development, and technical expertise. US companies Corvid Technologies, Kratos Defense, and Peraton supplied critical components and integration services.

European Integration: France leads the HYDIS² consortium—19 partners across 14 European countries developing counter-hypersonic interceptors. This €-funded initiative incorporates NATO requirements while maintaining European strategic autonomy.

Historical Context and Strategic Return

France's current hypersonic development represents a return to its pioneering roots in the field. For France, it's a bit of a return to basics, since the country has been at the forefront of this field since the 1960s, far ahead in this field. Launched in 1965, the VERAS (Véhicule expérimental de recherches aérothermodynamiques et structurales) hypersonic glider programme even saw a prototype presented at the Paris Air Show in 1969... before being abandoned in 1971, for budgetary reasons linked in particular to the cost of materials.

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

The comprehensive nature of France's hypersonic program—encompassing conventional strike capabilities through V-MAX and V-MAX2, advanced research through SyLex, and nuclear deterrence through ASN4G—positions the country as a significant player in future warfare technologies. "Once we have those two demonstrators, we will be in a position to say France masters the technology," du Che said.

France's systematic approach to hypersonic development, from experimental demonstrators to operational nuclear weapons, represents one of the most comprehensive national programs in this critical technology domain. With V-MAX2 testing planned for 2025, SyLex flights scheduled for 2027, and ASN4G deployment targeted for 2035, France is establishing a clear roadmap to hypersonic leadership that will reshape both conventional and nuclear warfare capabilities through the mid-21st century.

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