“France is also working on a new ASN4G air-launched cruise missile.”, — write: www.unian.ua
France is also working on a new ASN4G air-launched cruise missile.
France showed the ASMPA-R missile on the Rafale aircraft / photo x.com/CaVautrinIn France, for the first time, the latest version of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portee medium-range cruise missile with a nuclear warhead, operating on direct jet thrust, was shown. The ASMPA-Renove (ASMPA-R) variant is in service with the French Navy.
The new missile was shown on the Rafale M fighter jet of the French Naval Nuclear Air Force (FANU). The aircraft conducted a test launch of the ASMPA-R without a warhead as part of Operation Diomede, The War Zone reports. The country’s armed forces minister, Catherine Vautrin, said the test included “a flight simulating a nuclear strike.”
Separately, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces said that the ASMPA-R officially entered the FANU arsenal on November 10. These missiles have been in use since 2023 by the Strategic Air Forces (FAS). Rafale fighters serve as a launch platform for them.
It is noted that part of the Rafale M already performed nuclear missions with the old ASMP-Ameliore (ASMP-A) missiles.
What is known about the ASMPA-R missileOutwardly, the “updated” ASMPA-R is very similar to the ASMP-A version. In the center of the body, both missiles have a pair of air intakes, which are part of a direct-flow jet propulsion system.
At the same time, the configuration of the tail stabilizer differs between models. Yes, the A model has smaller fins at the back and larger fins at the front. The reason for these differences is unclear, the publication writes.
“The ASMPA-R reportedly has a longer range than the ASMP-A – 372 miles (600 kilometers) versus 310 miles (500 kilometers) – but both missiles are said to reach a maximum speed of Mach 3,” the report said.
There are also reports that the ASMPA-R is equipped with a new nuclear warhead, although some sources indicate that this is the same TNA design as the ASMP-A missiles. It is possible that the warheads could be upgraded in the R models.
ASMPA-R – upgrade of ASMP-A missiles?The ASMPA-R variant is often described as an upgrade package to extend the life of the ASMP-A missiles. They were first used in 2009, replacing the original ASMP, which entered service in 1986.
The base version of the missile had a maximum range of 300 kilometers and an older TN 81 warhead with the same claimed power settings as the newer TNA.
Work on the ASMPA-R began in the mid-2010s, and the work is part of a larger effort to modernize France’s nuclear deterrent arsenal.
“These efforts also include the new M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead, which officially entered service last month. The M51 series missiles arm the French Navy’s Triumphant-class nuclear submarines, forming the maritime component of the country’s nuclear duo,” the authors add.
France is working on a new nuclear missileThe publication writes that France is also working on the creation of a new air-launched cruise missile ASN4G – a 4th-generation air-to-ground nuclear missile. It is expected to be powered by a jet engine, have a longer range and be able to reach hypersonic speeds.
A new statement from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces confirms that the goal remains to put ASN4G into service in 2035.
“Over the last few years, there has been a certain new openness to nuclear weapons and deterrence in NATO as a whole, due to concerns about the spread of the conflict in Ukraine and general Russian aggression. Despite this, France continues to actively modernize its nuclear weapons: the Rafale M aircraft of the French Navy are now used as launch platforms for ASMPA-R cruise missiles, – TWZ states.
Other gun newsReuters, with reference to the deputy head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence Vadym Skibitsky, reports that Russia plans to produce up to 120,000 aerial bombs this year. According to him, the enemy launches 200-250 aerial bombs on the territory of Ukraine every day.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, for the first time, a real wall of drones will be tested against “Shaheeds” and KABs. The combat application is being prepared by the French startup Atreyd. It is noted that the DWS-1 system should protect Ukrainian CHP plants from drones.
You may also be interested in news:
- “Octopus”: the Ukrainian interceptor drone “Shakhediv” has been put into serial production
- In Ukraine, they showed the launch of “Long Neptune”: experts made a number of conclusions
- The Russians have a new ammunition: “Flash” told what it is intended for