Matra M.04
The Matra M.04 was a French missile project that began development in Societe Matra in 1948. Intended either as an air-to-air missile or a surface-to-air missile it was never adopted in service, although it was tested over the Sahara in 1952.
Matra M.04
- Name
- Matra M.04
- Field
- air-to-air missile
- Region
- France
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Documentary summary
The Matra M.04 was a French missile project that began development in Societe Matra in 1948. Intended either as an air-to-air missile or a surface-to-air missile it was never adopted in service, although it was tested over the Sahara in 1952.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q6787768 · wikipedia · Matra M.04
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Matra M.04 • Origin — France • Type — Air-to-air missile • Is Missile — yes • Design Date — 1948 • Manufacturer — Matra • Weight — 460 kg • Length — 4.6 m • Diameter — 0.25 m • Engine — Solid-fuel rocket • Engine Power — 1,250 kg thrust for 14 seconds • Wingspan — 1.8 m • Propellant — Acid/Aniline rocket • Launch Platform — Halifax (testing)
Development
Development
The missile was first test-fired in flight from a Halifax bomber in May 1950 at Colomb-Bechar. The missile was large for an air-to-air missile, with two pairs of cruciform swept wings, with the smaller rear pair being moved using pneumatic actuation to provide steering. A SEPR acid/aniline rocket containing 110 kg of propellent provided 1,250 kg of thrust for 14 seconds, taking it to a speed of 490 meters per second. The surface-to-air version was intended to have an additional tandem booster stage, and was designated the R.042 - and work continued on it until 1955.
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- France
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Matra M.04 is associated with France.
Country
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q6787768: Matra M.04
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Matra M.04”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
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Broader subject
1- air-to-air missileTerminology
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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