French AASM bombs triple production to reshape Ukraine's defense
The aircraft bombs provided to Ukraine by France, equipped with AASM Hammer modules, have proven to be a very effective tool for demolishing fortified Russian structures in the frontline region. Their production might 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—of which at least 600 units were sent to Ukraine in 2024—said it expects to triple its production volume. The key lies in 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, weighing approximately 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg respectively, conceptually similar to the American JDAM-ER kits.
AASM Hammer modules — the ideal weapon for older generation aircraft
At first glance, French bombs may seem like a copy of the JDAM-ER, but besides the guidance module with control surfaces and foldable wings, they also feature a rocket engine.
This allows the bomb to be dropped during low-altitude flight while achieving several times the range of ordinary gliding bombs. Under such conditions, the manufacturer declares the AASM Hammer's strike range of 15 km, enabling it to engage targets protected by systems like the Pantsir-S1.
Dropping bombs during low-altitude flights is much safer for aircraft. Bombs are harder to detect due to the so-called radar horizon, which limits the range of ground-based radars to about 40 km for low-flying objects unless the adversary has AWACS-type aircraft. This is the only form of attack that allows surprising the enemy without using stealth aircraft.
The Ukrainians actively exploit this capability, targeting significant Russian assets using, among others, MiG-29 aircraft. However, in recent weeks, Mirage 2000-5s dedicated to using these bombs have also joined the effort.
One bomb series, three guidance methods
French modules are distinguished by their versatility in terms of guidance methods. The basic system relies on inertial and satellite navigation, ensuring accuracy within a few metres in optimal conditions when striking a stationary target. However, as evidenced by events in Ukraine, GPS jamming can reduce the precision of attacks, which is particularly problematic for lighter bombs weighing 250 kg.
An alternative is guidance on a reflected laser beam, which ensures pinpoint accuracy even on moving targets. However, this requires constant laser illumination of the target until impact, which exposes the carrier to danger or requires collaboration with a drone that illuminates the target with a beam.
The most convenient option for the pilot, yet the most expensive, is the optoelectronic head, which detects the target's thermal image. Onboard electronics compare the image with the one stored in memory and independently decide whether to track and attack the object. This "fire-and-forget" weapon allows the pilot to quickly exit the threat zone after releasing the bomb.
This is a very compelling package, which, outside of France, is essentially only offered by Israel in the form of SPICE kits but without the capacity to execute attacks during low-altitude flights.
