Ukraine deploys French AASM Hammer bombs in MiG‑29 fighter jets
The first photo of a mysterious Ukrainian MiG-29 equipped with the French AASM Hammer bomb has surfaced online. This confirms that Ukraine's defence forces have started targeting Russian positions with the Hammer, spotlighting its capabilities.
"This is the first photo of the MiG-29 of the Ukrainian armed forces carrying a French guided bomb," reports the Ukrainian portal Defense Express. The site analysed the incorporation of the French bomb into the defenders' arsenal and assessed whether this new ammunition necessitated major modifications to the aircraft. Besides the guided bomb on the external pylon, the MiG also carried a fuel tank, without any additional load.
Defense Express pointed out that the aircraft in the photo, armed with the weapon, indeed looks like the MiG-29 with mysterious pylons designed for unidentified weapons. It was later revealed that these were mounts prepared for American JDAM/ER bombs. From this, it can be inferred that adapting the MiG-29s for the Hammer required less complex modifications than the configuration for JDAM/ER.
Let’s remember the French announced the delivery of AASM Hammer aerial bombs to Ukraine at the start of 2024. They planned to supply around 600 bombs over the course of the year. The first documented deployment of the Hammer was reported in March.
The French weapon is akin to the American one
The AASM Hammer (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bomb is indeed a system with capabilities similar to the American JDAM/ER. Modules of the French weapon are designed to fit onto standard Mk 82/83/84 bombs, whose weights are approximately 225, 450, and 900 kg (about 496, 992, and 1984 lbs, respectively).
The primary difference between the French and American systems is the inclusion of not only a guidance head and foldable wings but also a rocket motor by the former. This notable enhancement lets the bomb be dispatched towards the target even from low-altitude flight, easily covering a distance of around 9 miles and presenting another significant benefit: elusion of radar detection. This is made possible by the radar horizon.
It is also important to highlight that the AASM Hammer is a versatile weapon that can be fitted with several different guidance heads. The base model, which relies on inertial and satellite navigation, achieves shooting precision within a few metres. The other two heads, however, offer much greater precision, with their accuracy pinpointed to up to one meter.
