Air-Sol Moyenne Portée

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=ASMP


caption=
origin=
type=medium-range air to surface nuclear missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Aérospatiale
unit_cost=
propellant=
production_date=
service=1986
engine=liquid-fuel ramjet
engine_power=
weight=860 kg
length=5.38 m
height=
diameter=300 mm
wingspan=
speed=Mach 2 to Mach 3
vehicle_range=between 80 km and 300 km
ceiling=
altitude=
filling=TN 81 nuclear warhead, 150 kt or 300 kt of TNT (selective mode)
guidance=
detonation=
launch_platform=Dassault Mirage IV, Dassault Mirage 2000N, Dassault Rafale, and Dassault Super ÉtendardThe Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP; "medium-range air to surface missile") is a French air-launched nuclear missile. Part of the "Force de frappe", in French nuclear doctrine it is the last-resort "warning shot" prior to a full-scale employment of strategic nuclear weapons. The missile's construction was contracted to Aérospatiale's Tactical Missile Division, now part of MBDA.

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 Étendard". About 84 weapons are stockpiled. Carrier aircraft are the Dassault "Mirage 2000N", "Rafale", and Super Étendard; the earlier Mirage IVP was completely retired in 1996.

ASMP is 5.38 m 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 TN 81 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.

Operators

;FRA

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/france/bomber/asmp.htm ASMP on FAS.org]