Sagem Défense Sécurité: successful test firing of AASM armament
Paris – December 14, 2006 -- On December 1, France’s defense procurement agency (DGA) successfully completed the first operational test firing of the AASM modular air-to-ground armament. Developed and manufactured by Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group), the AASM is a new family of weapon that will equip the French Army’s and Navy’s Rafale planes by 2007.
Carried out by a Mirage 2000 N at the Biscarosse Launch Missile Test Center (Southwest of France), the qualification test concerned the GPS/inertial guidance version of the armament. It was fired in particularly severe flight conditions (low altitude, high speed, strong load factor). When fired the AASM followed its trajectory and hit its planned target (a fake runway).
The test firing follows several dozen successful tests.
The AASM exists in two versions: GPS/inertial and GPS/inertial/infrared-image guidance. With a range exceeding 50km depending firing altitude, the two versions can be fired day and night under all conditions, and at a safe distance from enemy ground-to-air defenses.
A laser-guided AASM version is also being developed for mobile and unforeseen targets.
As a technical achievement, the AASM draws on Sagem Défense Sécurité’s extensive know-how: inertial components with Hemispheric Resonator Gyros, infrared technologies, and precision GPS guidance under all conditions. This weapon, which is without equivalent in the world, brings new air-to-ground tactical capabilities to armed forces.
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About Sagem Défense Sécurité
Sagem Défense Securité is a high-technology company in the SAFRAN Group. As a leading European defense and security electronics company in Europe, its business covers three main fields: navigation and aeronautics systems, where it is the world leader in helicopter flight control; optronics and air-land systems, where it is the European leader in surveillance and fire-control optronics; and the field of security, where it is the world leader in fingerprint-based biometrics.
Its equipment and integrated systems are used worldwide, helping to ensure air transport safety, secure data transmission, personal security and governmental defense capabilities at the highest level. Through the SAFRAN Group, Sagem Défense Sécurité is present on all continents.
For further information: www.sagem-ds.com
Contact:
Sagem Défense Sécurité
Philippe Wodka-Gallien
Press manager
Tel.: +33 (0)1 58 11 19 49
email : philippe.wodka-gallien@sagem.com
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