Ukrainian F-16 fighters will be able to carry French AASM Hammer guided bombs
Ukraine has been using French AASM Hammer guided bombs with Soviet aircraft since the beginning of the year. As it turns out, France is now working on integrating them into the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters that will soon appear in the AFU's inventory.
Here's What We Know
The information was shared by MP and Chairman of the Commission on Defence and Armed Forces of France Thomas Gassiloud in an interview with LCI TV channel. The MP did not disclose the details of the integration.
"Ce n'est pas une demande des Ukrainiens d'avoir ce soutien de troupes sur place. Aujourd'hui, la priorité, c'est d'aider l'Ukraine à se défendre avec du soutien matériel."
- LCI (@LCI) May 3, 2024
Thomas Gassilloud, président de la Commission de défense et des forces armées pic.twitter.com/1KE6K6H6HKry
According to Militarnyi, the issue is most likely the integration of aerial bombs into the fire control system. Physically, the bombs are easily attached to US fighter jets, as they use the same mount as the Mark 82 bombs.
Flashback
The AASM Hammer is a French precision-guided aerial bomb. It is manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defence. The bomb is produced in different modifications. The basic version has a 250kg warhead, and the top version has a 1000kg warhead. It can fly up to 70 kilometres. The AASM Hammer is launched from various platforms including Mirage 2000D, Rafale, Tejas and Mirage F1 aircraft.
Source: LCI, Militarnyi
