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ASMP

The ASMP (Air-Sol Moyenne Portee) is powered by by a ramjet [statoréacteur] with an integrated accelerator. Armed with a tactical nuclear warhead, the ASMP is produced by Aerospatiale, except for the military head, that is provided by the Atomic Energy Commission. The ASMP's nuclear warhead has five times the power of free-fall weapons it replaces. This supersonic missile is guided by a standalone system of inertial navigation that provides it precision requise and allows the launcher aircraft to remain a safe distance from the enemy defenses. The propulsion system constists of a statoréacteur using liquid fuel developed by Aerospatiale. The necessary speed for ignition is reached with a solid rocket motor accelerator housed in the combustion chamber of the statoréacteur. ASMP became operational in May 1986 on Mirage IVP and beginning in 1988 on Mirage 2000 N. It was also adapted on Super Standard for the National Navy, and on-board on the aircraft carrier Foch.

At the beginning of 2000, 60 ASMP missiles (and 42 TN81 warheads) were allotted to Mirage 2000N planes belonging to the air force and 24 ASMP missiles (and 20 TN81 warheads) to the Super-Etendard of the air-naval service.

Following the orientations taken in strategic committee and ratified in the law of programming 1997-2002, the choice was made on a missile to ramjet called improved ASMP or ASMPA to succeed the current airborne component. The phase of feasibility the ASMPA program began at the end of 1997. The launching of the development is envisaged at the beginning of 2000 for a entry into service into 2010.

Compared to current missile ASMP, the ASMPA will offer a greater range (500 to 600 km) and a greater diversity of trajectories, including final penetrations man_uvrantes at very low altitude. The development of the ASMPA is also prepared by an operation, called Vesta, financed to the title of the line " work of aerobic transition " from the law of programming, which will make it possible to test in flight a vector with ramjet common to the improved ASMP and anti-ship missile future ANF. The two missiles will share the same liquid ramjet with prolonged combustion and the same section of guidance piloting. They will differ by their final guidance and, obviously, the nature of their payload. The three exploratory developments launched in 1993 and the exploratory research preparing the project of missile air/sol long range (ASLP) were the major reorientation object in order to cover complementary work necessary to the ASMP improved and not included in the tests of feasibility or the Vesta operation.

The Air-Sol Longue Portee (ASLP) was a longer-range version of the ASMP proposed as a co-development project with Britain. It would have had a range of 1,000-1,200 km and would replace the WE177 nuclear gravity bombs providing the Royal Air Force.

Specifications

Weight 1,896 lb. (860 kg)
length 17 ft 8 in (5.38 m)
diameter 12 in (300 mm)
width 3 ft 2 in (0.96 m)
Propulsion SNPE solid-propellant booster
ONERA/Aerospatiale kerosene-fueled ramjet
speed Mach 3 @ high altitude
Mach 2 @ low altitude
range 300 km @ high altitude
80 km @ low altitude
60 km against naval targets
Warhead 300-kiloton nuclear

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Updated Friday, August 11, 2000 8:16:26 AM

Specifications
Weight	1,896 lb. (860 kg)
length	17 ft 8 in (5.38 m)
diameter	12 in (300 mm)
width	3 ft 2 in (0.96 m)
Propulsion	SNPE solid-propellant booster ONERA/Aerospatiale kerosene-fueled ramjet
speed	Mach 3 @ high altitude Mach 2 @ low altitude
range	300 km @ high altitude 80 km @ low altitude 60 km against naval targets
Warhead	300-kiloton nuclear