Armement Air-Sol Modulaire

The Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, commonly known as AASM Hammer, represents a cutting-edge French smart air-to-surface stand-off weapon developed by Safran Electronics & Defence. This highly adaptable weapon is designed to excel in both close air support and deep strike missions.

The AASM is an innovative rocket-assisted guided bomb originating from France and is specifically engineered for precision stand-off strikes. Due to protracted development, France initially utilised the Enhanced Paveway II as an interim weapon. Additionally, for exports, the AASM is marketed as HAMMER, and it has garnered acclaim for its exceptional combat effectiveness.

Design

The AASM, also known as the \"Hammer,\" is an innovative precision-guided munition system designed to enhance the capabilities of conventional bombs. It does this by integrating a guidance section at the front and a booster section at the rear. The booster section incorporates a solid propellant rocket engine and four fixed wings, while the guidance section offers three seeker head options and eight clipped wings that function as control surfaces. Each variant utilises GPS and inertial navigation, and some configurations also feature imaging infrared terrain mapping guidance and semi-active laser guidance.

The AASM is designed to be used with a 250-kg Mk 82 bomb or a 1,000-kg Mk 83 or Mk 84 bomb, equipped with a Range Extension Kit (REK) that includes a solid fuel engine. The guidance systems available include satellite-based navigation, thermal guidance, and laser semi-active guidance, and an airburst detonation feature is optional. The AASM has a declared range of over 70 km, allowing it to be released from a safer distance, though the actual range may be influenced by the launch altitude. An informative infographic illustrates the AASM\'s application in low-altitude nap-of-the-earth flight.

The AASM accommodates various bomb sections, including 125 kg and 1,000 kg options, in addition to the 250 kg bomb. With GPS guidance, it achieves a 10-meter Circular Error probability (CEP), and the imaging infrared model boasts a remarkable 1-meter CEP under favourable conditions. The laser-guided model also maintains a CEP of approximately 1 meter. The AASM\'s maximum range exceeds 50 km with a high-altitude launch and 15 km with a low-altitude launch, making it an effective solution within the covered distance of medium-range air defence missile systems, typically falling between 20 km and 100 km.

Platforms

The AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) is compatible with a variety of aircraft, including the Rafale and Mirage 2000. It is available in three variants, each equipped with distinct guidance systems tailored to specific targets and operational requirements. The standard variant comprises a nose-mounted guidance section, a tail-mounted range extension kit, and a rocket booster, facilitating its attachment to bombs weighing between 125 kilograms and 1,000 kilograms. This variant incorporates a hybrid Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance. Additional variants integrate infrared homing or laser guidance to enhance precision and the capability to engage moving targets.

The AASM was adopted by the French Air Force and Naval Aviation in 2007 and is presently deployed on the Dassault Rafale and Mirage 2000D aircraft.

Host bombs

The AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) is an advanced precision-guided munition that combines guidance kits and a solid fuel rocket motor with traditional unguided bombs. The current iteration of AASM is designed to be compatible with a 250 kg bomb, including variants such as the Mk 82, BLU-111 penetrator, and CBEMS/BANG. Notably, a 125 kg bomb was successfully tested in 2009, and there are plans for a larger 1000 kg model.

AASM is available in several variants, each tailored to different sizes and types of guidance systems:

1. The primary model integrates a 250 kg bomb with a nose-mounted guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit. This configuration includes a rocket booster and enlarges fins for enhanced precision and range. Notably, a 125 kg model was first tested in 2009, and a 1000 kg version completed testing in early 2023.

2. In terms of guidance, the basic version relies on a combination of data from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and an inertial navigation system (INS) unit, processed through Kalman filtering to achieve a precise 10 meters (32 ft 10 in) circular error probability (CEP). Moreover, specialised variants are offering \"decametric\" all-weather guidance and a \"metric\" day/night fair weather version, which incorporates infrared homing (IIR) guidance to achieve an impressive 1-meter (3 ft 3 in) CEP.

3. Another notable variant utilises laser guidance instead of IIR, enabling it to effectively target and strike moving targets with exceptional precision. This version was officially qualified in April 2013.

In October 2010, these variants were designated with alphanumeric codes. The INS/GPS version became the SBU-38 (SBU=Smart Bomb Unit), the INS/GPS/IIR version became the SBU-54, and the INS/GPS/SALH version became the SBU-64. Additionally, the system was rebranded as \"Hammer,\" a name intended to enhance its market appeal to potential export customers.

AASM launch tests

The French DGA (Direction Générale de l\'Armement) completed the first operational test firing of the SBU-38 GPS / inertial guidance version by a Mirage 2000N at the authority’s Biscarosse Launch Missile Test Center in December 2006. This marked a significant milestone in the development and testing of the AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) weapon system.

In April 2007, the French Air Force\'s Rafale fighter conducted the first test firing of the AASM weapon system. This was followed by another milestone when the French Navy’s Rafale successfully test-fired the first AASM in April 2007, and then the second test firing was conducted in June 2007, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of the AASM across different military branches.

A major advancement in the AASM\'s development occurred in August 2007 when DGA carried out the first test firing of the infrared terminal guidance version by a Mirage 2000N. This test validated the missile\'s infrared homing capabilities and paved the way for further enhancements and refinements.

The following year, in 2008, the DGA completed the second and third qualification test firings of the AASM\'s infrared terminal guidance version at its missile test range in Biscarosse. These tests provided critical data and insights into the missile\'s performance and accuracy under different conditions.

Continuing the series of advancements, Sagem and DGA achieved another milestone in January 2009 with the first test firing of the 125kg missile with inertial/GPS guidance from a Mirage 2000N. Subsequent test firings of a 250kg HAMMER with laser terminal guidance in a demonstrator version were conducted in June 2010, showcasing the continuous development and diversification of the AASM\'s capabilities.

In December 2010, a significant night launch occurred when the 250kg AASM with infrared terminal guidance was successfully launched by a Rafale multi-role fighter at the DGA’s missile test centre in Biscarosse, further expanding the missile\'s operational envelope.

An impressive demonstration followed in April 2011 when the AASM system was launched during a demonstration firing test by a Rafale fighter against a land target moving at high speed at the missile test range in Biscarosse, confirming its precision and effectiveness in challenging scenarios.

The French Air Force and Naval Aviation commenced the operational deployment of the infrared terminal guidance version in October 2011, marking the transition of the AASM from development and testing to active service within the military forces.

Further qualification and validation tests continued, with the DGA conducting the first qualification firing test of the laser terminal guidance version by a production Rafale fighter in May 2012 and the last qualification firing test of the laser terminal guidance version completed in December 2012. Finally, the SBU-54 missile was officially qualified in June 2013, underscoring the culmination of extensive testing and validation efforts.

Moreover, the ongoing development of the AASM-1000, which features an airburst and data link, represents a significant evolution in precision-strike capabilities, demonstrating the commitment to advancing the AASM\'s technological edge and operational utility.

In January 2014, the AASM HAMMER missiles were successfully tested on the Rafale fighter of heavily armed configuration, further solidifying the AASM\'s status as a versatile and effective precision-guided munition across various mission profiles and operational requirements.