PAS 2025 – Safran unveils AASM Hammer 250 XLR and 1000 XLR extended-range bombs

The family of French precision-guided AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) or HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bombs from Safran Electronics & Defense will be expanded with two more variants – the AASM Hammer 250 XLR and the AASM Hammer 1000 XLR with extended range. Full-scale models of these variants were showcased on the company’s static at the Paris Air Show

EDR On-Line previously reported on the AASM Hammer modular system, which includes a forward guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit, installed on a dumb bomb.

Currently two versions are available, the AASM HAMMER 250, where the kits are fitted to a Mk82 or a penetrating 500 lb (227 kg) bomb, and the AASM HAMMER 1000, where the ordnance is a BLU 109 or a Mk 84 2,000 lb (907 kg) bomb.

The AASM Hammer 250 XLR and 1000 XLR will be equipped with a miniature turbojet engine (TJE) instead of a solid-fuel booster in the tail section, which is being developed by Safran Power Units (formerly Microturbo). The use of a TJE will increase the range of the aerial bomb more than twice. As a Safran representative explained to EDR On-Line, when dropped from high altitude, the range of the AASM Hammer 250 XLR and 1000 XLR will be at least 140 km.

The guidance kit is available in three different versions. The simpler one is an all-weather INS/GPS. The second one retains the INS/GPS guidance, adding an IR seeker with digital scene matching algorithms in the terminal phase. To cope with moving targets a third type of guidance kit is available, the IR seeker being replaced by a semi-active laser seeker, which will bring the ordnance with utmost precision on the target illuminated by the aircraft itself or by an external laser source.

Currently, AASM Hammer 250 are supplied to Ukraine, where they are integrated into the weapons system of Ukrainian fighters and attack aircraft of Soviet origin. It is quite obvious that the integration of AASM Hammer 250 XLR into the weapons system of Ukrainian combat aircraft will not pose any problem.

Photos by N. Novichkov