ASMP - Your Art History Reference Guide!

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ASMP

The ASMP (Air-Sol Moyenne Portee - medium-range air to surface missile) is an air-launched nuclear warhead delivery system used by France. In French nuclear doctrine, it is the last-resort warning shot before the usage of strategic nuclear weapons.

ASMP entered service in 1986, replacing the earlier free-fall AN-22 bomb on France's Dassault Mirage IV aircraft and the AN-52 bomb on Dassault Super Etendard. About 84 weapons are stockpiled. Carrier aircraft are the Dassault Mirage 2000N, Dassault Rafale, and Dassault Super Etendard; the earlier Mirage IVP has been completely retired.

ASMP is 5.38 meters long and weighs 860 kg. It is a supersonic stand-off missile powered by a liquid-fuel ramjet. It flies at Mach 2 to Mach 3, with a range between 80 km and 300 km depending on flight profile. Warhead is a single TN81 with two yield options, 150 and 300 kt of TNT.

An advanced, long-range version of the ASMP, known as ASMP-A or ASMP+, is under development, with intended service entry in 2010.

See also Force de frappe.

Last updated: 08-31-2005 05:33:13
Last updated: 01-04-2007 01:18:57
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