Why in news?
France recently released footage of a test launch of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portee-Renovee (ASMPA-R) nuclear cruise missile from a Rafale fighter aircraft. The video, recorded in early October but made public in mid-November, shows the latest variant of France's air-launched nuclear deterrent powering away on its ramjet engine. The successful test underscores France's commitment to maintaining a credible airborne nuclear capability.
Background
The ASMPA-R is the most recent update to France's family of air-launched medium-range nuclear missiles. It traces its roots back to the original Air-Sol Moyenne Portee (ASMP) of the 1980s. Developed by France's aerospace industry to replace the older AN-22 free-fall bombs, the ASMP introduced a compact ramjet-powered cruise missile that could be carried by Mirage 2000N bombers. It delivered a nuclear warhead to targets about 300 km away at speeds exceeding Mach 2. In the 2000s the missile was upgraded to the ASMPA ("Ameliore" or improved) with a range around 500 km and more modern guidance, allowing carriage by the newer Rafale aircraft.
What is different in the ASMPA-R?
- Enhanced range and propulsion: the ASMPA-R uses an improved ramjet engine and fuel to push its range to roughly 600 km. The missile accelerates quickly after launch, flying at about Mach 3 and following a low-altitude, terrain-hugging path to evade defences.
- Reduced radar signature: refinements to the missile's airframe reduce its radar cross-section. Unlike its predecessor, the ASMPA-R does not have external tail fins; steering surfaces are integrated into the body, lowering drag and improving stealth.
- Warhead and guidance: the new missile carries the Tete Nucleaire Aerobie Amelioree (TNA) warhead, a compact thermonuclear device estimated at about 300 kilotons. Improved inertial navigation allows accurate strikes without reliance on external signals.
Significance
France maintains a "force de dissuasion" that relies on both submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles. The ASMPA-R enables the air component to survive modern air-defence systems and ensures the credibility of France's independent nuclear deterrent. Integrating the missile on the Rafale F4 fighter allows flexible mission planning; aircraft can take off from land bases or aircraft carriers, refuel in flight and strike high-value targets at stand-off distances. The recent test demonstrated that the upgraded missile is operational and ready for deployment well into the 2030s.
Sources: EurAsian Times