Safran's Source of Pride: Exploring the Mystery Behind Their Alleged "Wonder Weapon"
In the smack-dab center of Allier, nestled within Montluçon, Safran Electronics & Defense churns out a weapon that Yanks have baptized the "wonder weapon." The AASM (Modular Air-to-Ground Weapon), also known as "Hammer," is today a badge of French industrial agility amid the new geopolitical landscape.
📸 Credit: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesBy Sabrina Guintini. Published on
Safran's defense division is popular for its engines powering Airbus and Boeing aircraft, according to BFMTV. However, the French factory also manufactures an "intelligent bomb" that even the American defense can't help but envy, to the point of giving it the nickname "wonder weapon." In service since 2008 and now a key component of the Rafale, the AASM system turns a standard bomb into a precision munition. It’s a dual kit that comprises a fixed guidance module upfront and a propulsion module at the rear, capable of transforming an outdated bomb into a remarkably modern weapon. The outcome? A strike that strikes its target with surgical precision, even without a GPS signal.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the AASM has shown its true potential. At the French government's request, Safran readied its bombs for Ukrainian Mig and Sukhoi fighters – in less than four months, an accomplishment that garnered praise from the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA). The goal was to replace the ineffective American JDAM munitions neutralized by Russian jammers. Thanks to its precision gyroscopes, a unique skill, the AASM enables precise strikes, even during full electronic warfare.
The production pace quickens: 830 units in 2024 and 1,200 expected this year. Production has surged by four since the invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, Safran responded swiftly to the threat of Houthi drones in the Red Sea. In just four weeks, the industrialist armed French frigates with its Paseo XLR system, enabling a target to be identified at 40 km and neutralized at minimal cost. With a turnover up 46% in two years, at a whopping 3 billion euros, Safran Electronics & Defense solidifies its position as a bedrock of the new war economy. Get ready for the Paris Air Show in June to witness the latest innovations from this French success story.
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🔍 The Competitors on the Battlefield of Precision Munitions:
- Raytheon Technologies: Known for its mastery over GPS-guided munitions, Raytheon Technologies plays a significant role in the production of precision weapons.
- Lockheed Martin: This company has a hand in numerous military technologies, including precision-guided munitions.
- MBDA (Missile Systems): Although MBDA partners with Safran at times, it is also a rival in the field of precision-guided missiles and munitions. MBDA dominates the European missile systems market.
- Northrop Grumman: Another major defense contractor with expertise in advanced defense systems, including precision-guided munitions.
- Despite the rapid increase in production, with 1,200 AASM units expected this year, there is ongoing speculation about Olivier André, the new head of Safran, and his commitment to Montluçon, the city where Safran Electronics & Defense is located.
- In the market of precision munitions, Safran Electronics & Defense faces competition from various global players, such as Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, alongside European rivals like MBDA (Missile Systems).
- Safran's innovative AASM system, known colloquially as the "wonder weapon" by the Americans, is a dual-kit that transforms standard bombs into precision munitions using armament technology, showcasing French industrial ingenuity in the face of the new geopolitical landscape, as seen with the system's successful deployment in Ukraine during electronic warfare.
