Ukrainian forces leverage French precision bombs with MiG‑29s

The Ukrainian Air Force continues to conduct operations against Russian forces, using the last of its planes while awaiting the promised delivery of F-16 aircraft. Hence, a recording showing a MiG-29 dropping guided bombs with AASM Hammer modules is rare. This article explains the maneuver's nature and the uniqueness of the guided bombs from France.

Before the war, the Ukrainian air force mainly relied on MiG-29, Su-27, Su-24 attack, and Su-25 assault aircraft. They only retain a small fragment of their pre-war potential, maintained through enormous effort.

As a result, air raids on Russian positions are conducted only for precious targets or in tough situations for ground units. This is likely the case in the scenario below, where a low-flying MiG is seen sharply ascending just before dropping a pair of bombs. This maneuver aims to increase the range of the bombs, which momentarily rise after being dropped before falling onto the target.

In addition to their original tasks, such as hunting opponent aircraft and helicopters, Ukrainian MiGs are also used to target air defence radars or strike aircraft.

While JDAM-ER-guided bombs are used to attack Russian forces, the unique French AASM Hammer bombs offer a much better and safer tool. Unlike regular glide bombs, they allow for drops at very low altitudes while offering significant range.

For JDAM-ER glide bombs with folding wings or their Russian copies, FAB with UMPK modules, it is possible to strike targets up to 70 kilometres away, but the bomb must be dropped from a high altitude, such as 6 miles or higher. This exposes the aircraft to medium-range air defence systems like the S-300, which has a range of over 60 miles.

Flying at a low altitude solves this problem, as the effective detection range of most ground radars is limited to about 25 miles. However, the range of glide bombs decreases due to the lower altitude available for gliding.

France found a solution to this problem with the AASM Hammer modules, which stand for Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range. The bombs' propulsion is provided by a rocket motor. According to the manufacturer, when dropped from a low altitude, the bombs range 9 miles, beyond the reach of Russian short-range air defence systems like the Pantsir-S1.

In systems like the S-300, the aircraft carrying bombs with AASM Hammer modules is visible on the opponent's radar for a very short time during ascent, giving the crew little time to react.

Combined with the fact that French bombs can accurately hit targets within 3 feet and even target moving objects, they create a powerful weapon. Importantly, they remain effective (using appropriate guiding warheads) even under the influence of Russian electronic warfare systems, which ordinary JDAM bombs struggle with.

Consequently, an ideal tool for attacking command points or mighty fortifications has emerged. So far, Ukrainians mainly use the lightest 550-pound versions, which fighter aircraft can easily carry.