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French JDAM Enters Combat
   Next Article → INDONESIA: Militants Burn Deviant Mosque
May 1, 2008:  A French Rafale fighter dropped the first French made smart bomb, in Afghanistan, on April 19th. The bomb, an AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, or air-to-ground modular weapon) was about a decade in development. Like the U.S. JDAM, it is a GPS kit, attached to a 250 kilogram (550 pound) bomb, and delivers the bomb within 30 feet of the aim point. This kit costs $125,000 each (JDAM costs 75 percent less, but that's because many more JDAMs were purchased, thus spreading development cost over more weapons). The AASM program cost was over $630 million. The AASM entered service in 2006.

 

There is a second version of AASM, with an infrared (heat sensing) imaging system, that increases accuracy to within three feet of the aim point. This kit costs $171,000 each, and has comparable to U.S. laser guided bomb kits (which cost about $55,000 each.) There are also kits for 275 pound and 1100 pound bombs.

 

The French AASM dropped on April 19th hit the target.

 

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newjarheadean    Thanks    5/1/2008 5:36:21 PM
Thats what I like about this page, new interesting info. I'm surprised it took the French so long to develop a AGM.  I think i'm correct in the statement that the French have no MBTs to speak of. It makes me wonder how they having been planning on helping NATO combat a WARSAW invasion. I guess the old underground is still around.
 
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flamingknives       5/1/2008 6:00:59 PM
The French have no MBTs?

Try googling for 'LeClerc tank'

As for the rest of the French Forces, you might try looking up 'MILAN missile', 'Exocet', 'Mirage', 'HOT missile', 'SEPECAT Jaguar', 'SS-11', 'ASMP missile'.
Then come back when you have a clue.
 
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Yimmy       5/1/2008 6:52:58 PM
No need to jump on the poor guy.  Not everyone devotes so many hours to reading what tanks other states have.
 
 
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Das Kardinal    A few remarks   5/1/2008 8:17:42 PM
First, it's RafaLE, Rafael is an Israeli company...
Second, this article leaves out the true advantage of the AASM. It's not a mere "French JDAM equivalent", because frankly if it was, it wouldn't be worth the price (reinventing the wheel...). Calling it a "bomb" is actually inaccurate, since it's not freefall or gliding only unit. It's more like a "cheap" missile, thanks to the booster motor which is the second part of the AASM conversion kit (other part being the guidance system). The additional propulsion is what makes the AASM a true improvement over existing precision ammo (JDAM, Paveway, used in French service) and enabled Rafale to demonstrate innovative tactics, ie launching a spread of 6 AASMs at targets 90° off-boresight and located behind a hill, while flying NoE in a low altitude penetration profile.
Thanks to that, the Rafale can strike multiple targets in a wide area while remaining out of sight of their defenses. It is also said to give the Rafale a SEAD capability in conjunction with Spectra's ESM abilities. If I remember well that was demonstrated a few months ago in Spain during a Tiger Meet (or was is a TLP...).
 
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newjarheadean    rogger that   5/2/2008 1:24:27 PM
Flaming Knives,
I guess my commit about you cutting me up, with all the math terms, on the Towers of Power article,  did not  go  over  as the joke  it  was  mint  to  be. I withdraw it and it well not happen again. The commit on the Fr. was mint to be a probe into what there defensive tactics might be. And your list of weapons dose shed light on that.  As for the list of weapons I do know they have lots of NBC stuff too. I'm new in the E world and look forward to all information. Thanks again.

 
 
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newjarheadean    thanks   5/2/2008 1:41:59 PM
Yimmy,
I was pleasantly surprised at your commit. I had just read your commit on the "Night trap blues" article where you sounded off on the facts not making since. I believe you where mostly right however. And I don't mean to sound judgmental, and would not have even mentioned it except for the timing of it all. 
 
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newjarheadean    rogger that   5/2/2008 1:51:34 PM
That's some great info Das Kardinal,

I had just realized that Rafale/Rafael difference last week. And now thanks to you I know the AASM is more like a JASSM.
 
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flamingknives       5/2/2008 1:58:05 PM
newjarheadean, sorry if that was a bit sharp. There's plenty of people who like to bash the French without knowing anything about them.

It's always best to inform yourself before making comment, especially if it is one that is derogatory to other people's countries.
 
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newjarheadean    Roger that   5/2/2008 1:59:40 PM
That some great info Das Kardinal

I had just realized that Rafale/Rafael deferents last week. And now thank to you i know the AASM is more like a JASSM.
Like I've said I'm knew at the e world, and i think I eaised the first message so I'm sending this second one.
 
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newjarheadean    Roger that   5/2/2008 2:05:20 PM
Flamingknives,

You are correct, carry on. I'm way pass chow time, over and out.
 
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