French bombs boost Ukraine's front with precision strikes
The aircraft bombs provided to Ukraine by France, equipped with AASM Hammer modules, have proved to be highly effective in destroying fortified Russian positions on the frontline. Their production may now increase threefold. Here's the secret behind their success.
In an interview with Le Figaro, the company Safran, which is responsible for the AASM Hammer modules for aircraft bombs and sent at least 600 units to Ukraine in 2024, 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 Mk 82, 83, and 84 bombs, weighing approximately 227, 454, and 907 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 appear similar to the JDAM-ER, but besides 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 several times the range of ordinary gliding bombs. For the AASM Hammer, the manufacturer states a strike range of 15 km under such conditions, enabling it to engage targets guarded by systems like the Pantsir-S1.
Releasing bombs during low-altitude flights is much safer for aircraft, as they 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 possesses AWACS-type aircraft. This is the only form of attack that can surprise the enemy without using aircraft with stealth technology.
The Ukrainians actively exploit this capability, bombing key Russian targets using, among others, MiG-29 aircraft. However, in recent weeks, Mirage 2000-5s specifically equipped to use these bombs have also been deployed.
One bomb series, three guidance methods
French modules are characterised by their versatility in guidance methods. The basic system relies on inertial and satellite navigation, ensuring accuracy within a few metres in optimal conditions when targeting stationary objects. However, as events in Ukraine have shown, GPS jamming can reduce attack precision, which is particularly problematic for lighter bombs weighing 227 kg.
An alternative is guidance on a reflected laser beam, which ensures pinpoint accuracy even on moving targets, but requires constant laser illumination of the target until impact. This 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 thermal image of the target. Onboard electronics compare this image with the one stored in memory and independently decide to track and attack the object. It is a "fire and forget" weapon, allowing the pilot to quickly exit the threat zone after releasing the bomb.
This is an extremely effective package, which, apart from France, is essentially only offered by Israel in the form of SPICE kits, but without the ability to conduct attacks during low-altitude flights.
