French AASM bombs boost Ukraine's edge on the battlefield
The aircraft bombs supplied to Ukraine by France, equipped with AASM Hammer modules, have proven to be a highly effective tool for destroying fortified Russian structures in the frontline region. Production may now triple. Here's the secret behind their success.
In an interview with Le Figaro, Safran, the company responsible for the AASM Hammer modules for aircraft bombs, which sent at least 600 units to Ukraine in 2024, expects to triple its production volume. The key is the production methods used in the civilian sector.
AASM Hammer (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) modules are designed to be mounted on the Mk 82, 83, and 84 bomb families. They weigh approximately 500, 1000, and 2000 lbs, respectively, and are conceptually similar to the American JDAM-ER kits.
AASM Hammer modules — the ideal weapon for older generation aircraft
At first glance, French bombs may appear to be a copy of the JDAM-ER, but in addition to the guidance module with control surfaces and foldable wings, they also have a rocket engine.
This allows the bomb to be dropped during low-altitude flight while maintaining a range several times greater than that of ordinary gliding bombs. Under such conditions, the manufacturer claims the AASM Hammer has a strike range of 9 miles, allowing it to engage targets guarded by systems like the Pantsir-S1.
Dropping bombs during low-altitude flights is much safer for aircraft, as they are harder to detect due to the radar horizon, which limits the range of ground-based radars to about 25 miles for low-flying objects unless the adversary has AWACS-type aircraft. This method of attack enables surprising the enemy without using stealth technology.
Ukrainians actively use this capability, bombing important Russian targets using, among others, MiG-29 aircraft. However, in recent weeks, Mirage 2000-5s dedicated to using these bombs have also started participating.
One bomb series, three guidance methods
French modules are distinguished by their versatility in guidance methods. The basic system relies on inertial and satellite navigation, ensuring accuracy within a few yards in optimal conditions when hitting stationary targets. However, recent events in Ukraine have shown that GPS jamming can reduce attack precision, which is particularly problematic for lighter bombs weighing 500 lbs.
An alternative is guidance using a reflected laser beam, which ensures pinpoint accuracy even on moving targets. However, this method requires constant laser illumination of the target until impact, which exposes the carrier to danger or requires cooperation with a drone that illuminates the target with a beam.
The most convenient option for the pilot, albeit the most expensive, is the optoelectronic head, which detects the target's thermal image. Onboard electronics compare the image with one stored in memory and independently decide whether to track and attack the object. This is a "fire and forget" weapon, allowing the pilot to quickly leave the threat zone after dropping the bomb.
This is a very compelling package, which, outside of the French, is essentially only offered by Israel in the form of SPICE kits but without the ability to carry out attacks during low-altitude flights.
