Ukrainian airstrikes: French-made bombs reshape frontline tactics
Ukrainian aviation continues attacks on Russian frontline command points. French AASM Hammer air-to-ground bombs dropped by MiG-29 aircraft play a particularly crucial role in these efforts. This highlights the performance of this highly effective combination.
The Ukrainians have very limited aviation capabilities but still endeavour to use them as efficiently as possible. Currently, Ukraine possesses a small number of F-16 aircraft and remnants of the MiG-29 fleet, rejuvenated with models provided by Poland and Slovakia.
F-16s are primarily deployed in air defence missions, while MiG-29 aircraft are used as strike machines against ground targets. Popular armaments include American GBU-39 SDB bombs or French AASM Hammer bombs, utilised during the most hazardous tasks due to their specific characteristics.
Below, you can observe the moment of release and the impact of the bomb on a building that is almost certainly a Russian command point, from which attacks on Ukrainian positions were coordinated. Such points are usually situated from a few up to 10 kilometres from the battle lines.
AASM Hammer bomb - JDAM-ER with French traits
The French have historically designed weapons that stand out due to the unique requirements of their armed forces. The guided AASM Hammer bombs, developed by the Safran company, are no exception. In addition to the standard guidance module with foldable wings for Mk 82, 83, or 84 bombs weighing approximately 230, 450, and 910 kilograms, respectively, they incorporated a rocket engine.
The French aimed to create an attack system with a range exceeding 10 kilometres and powerful force for Rafale aircraft designed for low-altitude strikes. This tactic allows for the effective use of aircraft with limited stealth features to attack heavily defended targets even in contemporary settings. This is due to the so-called radar horizon limiting the range of ground-based radars to about 40 kilometres for low-flying objects.
The AASM Hammer bomb with a rocket booster, deployed using the TOSS manoeuvre (the aircraft climbs sharply just before bomb release and then dives again after releasing), allows striking targets at distances up to 15 kilometres, which is unachievable for regular JDAM-ER and similar bombs. This enables aircraft to engage targets protected by systems like the Pantsir-S1 from a safe distance, which Ukrainians fully exploit.
Three guidance options — hits the target precisely in any conditions
Additionally, AASM Hammer bombs are available in three guidance versions, offering immense flexibility in their use. The foundation is the INS and GPS guidance module, with accuracy within a few metres, although jamming can reduce this precision. This isn't a problem, for example, with a 910-kilogram bomb, but it is for a 230-kilogram one.
Two other guidance methods, however, already ensure pinpoint precision against even moving objects. One is a laser-guided warhead option, which requires the aircraft or a cooperating drone to illuminate the target with a laser beam until impact.
The best, albeit most expensive, option is an optoelectronic warhead that observes the thermal image of the target, with the onboard system determining if the image matches the uploaded data. If aligned, the bomb independently tracks and attacks the object when the aircraft's pilot is far away. Consequently, it is a "fire and forget" type of bomb. These are the latest additions to the arsenal of Ukrainian aviation.
