France gives Ukraine high-precision AASM Hammer guided bombs for its aircraft

Read also: Russia unveils upgraded guided bombs with increased threat potential

AASM Hammer aerial bombs can be deployed from a range of aircraft. In particular, they are compatible with F-16, Dassault Rafale, Mirage 2000D, and other aircraft. In the Ukrainian Air Force, these aerial bombs have been adapted for launches from MiG-29 aircraft.

The AASM Hammer is a kit of additional equipment that converts conventional aerial bombs into high-precision, guided munitions. The KAB kit includes a guidance unit and a tail module with fins and a rocket booster.

Thanks to the guidance unit with inertial, satellite, laser, or infrared guidance, these bombs hit targets with a deviation of up to 10 meters. The booster allows the destruction of enemy objects at distances of up to 70 kilometers, so aircraft can drop them from a safe distance.

Currently, the most popular AASM Hammer kits are for the 250-kg Mk 82 aerial bomb and the 1000-kg Mk 84, although kits for other bombs also exist.

Photo: AASM Hammer guided aerial bomb

AASM Hammer for Ukraine

It first became known about the transfer of European guided aerial bombs to Ukraine at the beginning of 2024. At that time, France announced it was preparing to transfer about 50 AASM Hammer aerial bombs per month.

Later, it was reported that France committed to producing 1,200 AASM Hammer-guided aerial bombs in 2025, up from 830 in 2024. Paris provides this weapon to Ukraine as part of defense aid.

Also, earlier, operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces adjusted a strike with a guided AASM Hammer aerial bomb on a Russian army ammunition depot during unloading.

To learn more about French AASM Hammer bombs, read the full article by RBC-Ukraine.