French AASM Bombs in Ukraine Spur Production Increase
France is ramping up production of its AASM precision-guided bombs, spurred by their successful use in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense announced an upcoming agreement with Safran, the primary developer, with a $150 million investment planned to increase manufacturing capacity. The AASM, also known as “Hammer,” features modular designs with various guidance options, including GPS, laser, and infrared seekers, and is equipped with a rocket booster for extended range. In response to this, Ukraine has also unveiled its own domestically produced glide bomb system, the “Ukrainian KAB,” as a cost-effective alternative.
John Q. Hosedrinker