AASM
Encyclopedia
The Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon) (AASM) is a French Precision-Guided Munition
developed by Sagem Défense Sécurité. AASM comprises a frontal guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit matched to a dumb bomb. The weapon is modular because it can integrate different types of guidance units and different types of bombs. The basic version features a 250 kilograms (551.2 lb) bomb plus hybrid inertial navigation system
(INS) / Global Positioning System
(GPS) guidance. Other variants add imaging infrared (IIR) or semi-active laser homing (SALH) to increase accuracy; there are also versions with 125 kilograms (275.6 lb) or 1000 kilograms (2,204.6 lb) bomb bodies. It entered service in 2007 with the French Air Force
and Naval Aviation.
(DGA), the French defense procurement agency, launched an international competition on the design for the weapon. In 2000, a contract was awarded to SAGEM
for an initial lot of AASM GPS/INS bomb kits, expected at the time to be delivered from 2004 and to enter service the following year. A test campaign to validate in flight the main performances of this AASM variant started on December 6, 2004 and ended on July 26, 2005. While demonstrating excellent results, this campaign showed the need to change some of the aerodynamic features of the weapon. To compensate for delays in AASM deliveries in 2008 France ordered dual-mode (laser- and GPS/INS-guided) GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II kits for integration with Mirage 2000D and Rafale fighter-bombers. The GPS/INS + IIR guided version completed its qualification tests on July 9, 2008 after three firings at the DGA's missile test range in Biscarosse. This 250 kg IR version performed a night launch from a Rafale fighter-bomber at DGA's Biscarosse test range in December 2010. According to Sagem
, the weapon was launched at a range of more than 50km from the target, which was hit within one meter. A 125 kg version was successfully test fired on January 27, 2009, and a laser guided variant was air-launched for the first time on June 17, 2010. According to French Senate
's Comité des Prix de Revient des fabrications d'Armement (CPRA) cited by the daily La Tribune
, the total cost of the AASM program including development costs and the delivery of 2348 kits is 846 millions euros.
(GPS) receiver and an inertial navigation system
(INS) unit through Kalman filtering, achieving a 10 metre circular error probability (CEP). This "decametric" all-weather variant is complemented by a "metric" day/night fair weather version which adds imaging infrared (IIR) guidance that matches the target area with a target model stored in its memory for a 1 metre CEP. A third version, currently under testing, uses semi-active laser homing instead of IIR allowing it to hit moving targets with more precision. On October 2010, these versions were given alphanumeric designations with the INS/GPS version becoming the SBU-38 (SBU=Smart Bomb Unit), the INS/GPS/IIR version becoming the SBU-54 and the INS/GPS/SALH version becoming the SBU-64; the system as a whole was renamed Hammer to make it more appealing to export customers.
when a Rafale fighter fired two in support of ground troops.
On 24 March 2011 it was reported that an AASM missile fired from a Dassault Rafale
was used to destroy a Libyan Air Force
G-2/Galeb
light ground attack/trainer jet, the first Libyan warplane to challenge the no-fly zone during the 2011 Libyan civil war
, on the runway just after the plane had landed at Misrata Airport.
On 6 April 2011 it was reported that a AASM missile fired from a Dassault Rafale
was used to destroy a Libyan tank at a range of 55km.
Precision-guided munition
A precision-guided munition is a guided munition intended to precisely hit a specific target, and to minimize damage to things other than the target....
developed by Sagem Défense Sécurité. AASM comprises a frontal guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit matched to a dumb bomb. The weapon is modular because it can integrate different types of guidance units and different types of bombs. The basic version features a 250 kilograms (551.2 lb) bomb plus hybrid inertial navigation system
Inertial navigation system
An inertial navigation system is a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to continuously calculate via dead reckoning the position, orientation, and velocity of a moving object without the need for external references...
(INS) / Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
(GPS) guidance. Other variants add imaging infrared (IIR) or semi-active laser homing (SALH) to increase accuracy; there are also versions with 125 kilograms (275.6 lb) or 1000 kilograms (2,204.6 lb) bomb bodies. It entered service in 2007 with the French Air Force
French Air Force
The French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
and Naval Aviation.
Development
The program started in 1997, when the Délégation Générale pour l'ArmementDélégation Générale pour l'Armement
The Direction générale de l’armement, which could be translated as “General Directorate for Armament”, or DGA, is the French Government Defence procurement agency responsible for the program management, development and purchase of weapon systems for the French military.-Armament programs...
(DGA), the French defense procurement agency, launched an international competition on the design for the weapon. In 2000, a contract was awarded to SAGEM
SAGEM
SAGEM was a major French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics and communication systems.In 2005, Sagem merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN...
for an initial lot of AASM GPS/INS bomb kits, expected at the time to be delivered from 2004 and to enter service the following year. A test campaign to validate in flight the main performances of this AASM variant started on December 6, 2004 and ended on July 26, 2005. While demonstrating excellent results, this campaign showed the need to change some of the aerodynamic features of the weapon. To compensate for delays in AASM deliveries in 2008 France ordered dual-mode (laser- and GPS/INS-guided) GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II kits for integration with Mirage 2000D and Rafale fighter-bombers. The GPS/INS + IIR guided version completed its qualification tests on July 9, 2008 after three firings at the DGA's missile test range in Biscarosse. This 250 kg IR version performed a night launch from a Rafale fighter-bomber at DGA's Biscarosse test range in December 2010. According to Sagem
SAGEM
SAGEM was a major French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics and communication systems.In 2005, Sagem merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN...
, the weapon was launched at a range of more than 50km from the target, which was hit within one meter. A 125 kg version was successfully test fired on January 27, 2009, and a laser guided variant was air-launched for the first time on June 17, 2010. According to French Senate
French Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of France, presided over by a president.The Senate enjoys less prominence than the lower house, the directly elected National Assembly; debates in the Senate tend to be less tense and generally enjoy less media coverage.-History:France's first...
's Comité des Prix de Revient des fabrications d'Armement (CPRA) cited by the daily La Tribune
La Tribune
La Tribune is a French financial newspaper that was founded in 1985. The paper is in tabloid format and has a circulation of around 78,000.- External links :**...
, the total cost of the AASM program including development costs and the delivery of 2348 kits is 846 millions euros.
Variants
AASM comes in several variants according to its size and the type of guidance used. The current model features a 250 kg bomb matched to a nose-mounted guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit, containing a rocket booster and enlarged fins. There is also a 125 kg, first tested in 2009, and a proposed 1000 kg version. As for guidance, the basic version combines data from a Global Positioning SystemGlobal Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
(GPS) receiver and an inertial navigation system
Inertial navigation system
An inertial navigation system is a navigation aid that uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to continuously calculate via dead reckoning the position, orientation, and velocity of a moving object without the need for external references...
(INS) unit through Kalman filtering, achieving a 10 metre circular error probability (CEP). This "decametric" all-weather variant is complemented by a "metric" day/night fair weather version which adds imaging infrared (IIR) guidance that matches the target area with a target model stored in its memory for a 1 metre CEP. A third version, currently under testing, uses semi-active laser homing instead of IIR allowing it to hit moving targets with more precision. On October 2010, these versions were given alphanumeric designations with the INS/GPS version becoming the SBU-38 (SBU=Smart Bomb Unit), the INS/GPS/IIR version becoming the SBU-54 and the INS/GPS/SALH version becoming the SBU-64; the system as a whole was renamed Hammer to make it more appealing to export customers.
Operational use
The first order for AASM was placed by the DGA in 2000 for a total of 744 units; deliveries started in 2007 after a two year delay in development. In 2009 a second order for 680 units was placed, by the end of that year deliveries had reached 334. AASM made its combat debut on April 20, 2008, during the War in AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
when a Rafale fighter fired two in support of ground troops.
On 24 March 2011 it was reported that an AASM missile fired from a Dassault Rafale
Dassault Rafale
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy...
was used to destroy a Libyan Air Force
Libyan Air Force
The Libyan Air Force is the branch of the Libyan Armed Forces responsible for aerial warfare. In 2010, before the 2011 Libyan civil war, the Libyan Air Force personnel strength was estimated at 18,000, with an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft operating from 13 military airbases in...
G-2/Galeb
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...
light ground attack/trainer jet, the first Libyan warplane to challenge the no-fly zone during the 2011 Libyan civil war
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
, on the runway just after the plane had landed at Misrata Airport.
On 6 April 2011 it was reported that a AASM missile fired from a Dassault Rafale
Dassault Rafale
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy...
was used to destroy a Libyan tank at a range of 55km.