Faced with an increase in the types of threats and interventions–mainly from far-off theatres–armed forces must have weapon systems that provide perfect control over the sought-after effects. Of course, this principle applies to air forces too. It has led to the development of a new family of weapons that will reinforce the French armed forces’ existing precision weapons as of this year–the AASM modular air-to-ground weapon.

Developed and manufactured by Sagem Défense Sécurité (Safran Group), an expert in navigation and optronic technologies and mission planning systems, this weapon will provide the French Air Force with an enhanced conventional strike capacity in line with the demands of modern air warfare. This includes extension, information systems density, high precision and control over effects. As a modular, scalable and high-tech weapon, it will significantly improve the credibility of France’s capacity for military intervention.

Meeting the Demands of Modern Air Warfare

With its precision, its ease of use and its ability to equip multiple bomb bodies, the AASM allows key points of adverse defence systems to be struck with precision, while efficiently adjusting the strike’s effects. By applying the Effects Based Operations concept, this weapon takes into account the lessons learned in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo in 1999. In fact, during this campaign the use of laser-guided weapons–which made up the majority of NATO’s precision weapons at the time–was substantially limited during the first five to six weeks of the operation due to unfavourable weather conditions. In addition, fighter planes were exposed to adverse ground-to-air defences.