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Defense Industry News - Sagem |
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Tuesday,
May 3, 2011, 03:33 PM |
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| Successful
firing test of AASM with laser terminal guidance offering
1-meter accuracy. |
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On
Thursday, April 21, French defense procurement agency DGA
successfully performed a demonstration firing test of the
AASM modular air-to-ground weapon against a land target
moving at high speed.
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Sagem
AASM modular air-to-ground weapon |
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The test was
carried out at the DGA’s missile test range in Biscarosse
by a production Rafale fighter deployed by the DGA’s
flight-test center in Cazaux. The AASM was fired from
an extreme off-axis angle (90°) at a range exceedin
g 15 kilometers.
The impact was at a very low angle, against a moving target
represented by a laser spot generated by a ground illuminator
mounted on a turret, to simulate a vehicle moving at a
speed of 80 km/h.
Using its algorithms for detection and slaving of the
trajectory to the laser spot, plus its excellent maneuverability,
the AASM hit its target to within less than one meter.
This firing test demonstrates the AASM Laser’s ability
to offer 1-meter accuracy against highspeed, agile land
or maritime targets. Coupling this performance with its
standoff firing capability, the AASM is unrivaled in the
market for tactical air-to-ground weapons. It perfectly
meets the precision and opportunity strike requirements
highlighted by recent operations.
The inertial/GPS/laser-guided version of the AASM is fitted
with a semi-active laser seeker, and features algorithms
to track fixed or highly mobile targets during the terminal
phase. It will enhance the operational flexibility already
offered by the AASM family, including two versions that
have been qualified for firing by the Rafale multirole
fighter: inertial/GPS and inertial/GPS/infrared.
The laser terminal guidance version of the AASM will enter
volume production for the French air force and navy starting
at the end of 2012.
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