PARIS, FRANCE — In late 2022, the French DGA completed qualification tests of the AASM 1000 GS bomb and its support system. The bomb was developed by Safran Electronics & Defense under an €85 million contract awarded by the DGA in 2017.
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The AASM 1000 consists of a guidance kit using GPS and an inertial system, and a kit [motor] that increases its range. These kits were developed based on the solution already used for the AASM 250 bomb, which has been in service since 2008 and can be attached to both the older Mk 84 and BLU 109 bombs, as well as the new BA84 and P1000, developed by the French company ARESIA.
The AASM 1000 is one of the armament types designed for the Rafale F4.1. Deliveries of the first sets to the French armed forces should begin immediately after the completion of the qualification tests of this standard of the aircraft, which is planned for the end of January this year. deliveries will continue through 2023 [Resumption of Rafale deliveries to France, 11 January 2023].
The Rafale F4.1 is to be used by l’Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace [aerospace force] and Marine nationale [navy], in particular those operating from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Aircraft in this standard must carry up to three AASM 1000s [one under the fuselage and one under each wing].
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