Air-sol moyenne portée

{{Short description|1986 French nuclear cruise missile}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox weapon | is_missile = yes | name = Air-sol moyenne portée | image = ASMP-A_Nuclear_Supersonic_Cruise_Missile.jpeg | image_size = 300 | caption = Dassault Rafale carrying an ASMP missile | origin = France | type = Medium-range supersonic stand-off nuclear missile | used_by =  | designer = Aérospatiale | design_date = | manufacturer = Aérospatiale (until 2001)<br />MBDA France (2001–present) | unit_cost = | propellant = | production_date = | service = May 1986–present<ref name=Science_mag>{{Cite journal|last=Dickson|first=David|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-6467189.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161839/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-6467189.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Anglo-French nuclear missile under study|journal=Science|date=12 February 1988|volume=239|issue=4841|pages=720–1|doi=10.1126/science.239.4841.720|pmid=17832931|bibcode=1988Sci...239..720D|access-date=22 August 2015|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | engine = liquid-fuel ramjet | engine_power = | weight = {{cvt|860|kg|lb}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://missilethreat.com/missiles/asmp-a/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121100043/http://missilethreat.com/missiles/asmp-a/ |archive-date=2013-01-21 |title=ASMP/-A {{!}} Missile ThreatASMP-A {{!}} Missile Threat}}</ref> | length = {{cvt|5.38|m|ft}} | height = | diameter = {{cvt|380|mm|in}} | wingspan = | speed = up to Mach 3<ref>{{cite web |title=Cruise missiles |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/equipements/missiles/missiles-de-croisiere |website=Defence Ministry, France |access-date=15 August 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> | vehicle_range = ASMP: {{cvt|300|km|mi}} (estimated; the ASMP's range as well as that of its modernized variants are classified information)<br />ASMP-A: {{cvt|500|km|mi}}<br />ASMPA-R: {{cvt|500|km|mi}}–{{cvt|600|km|mi}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=French nuclear weapons, 2023|author=Hans M. Kristensen|author2=Matt Korda|author3=Eliana Johns|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|year=2023|volume=79|issue=4|pages=272–281|doi=10.1080/00963402.2023.2223088 |bibcode=2023BuAtS..79d.272K |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00963402.2023.2223088?needAccess=true&role=button}}</ref> | ceiling = | altitude = | filling = TN 81 nuclear warhead, variable yield {{convert|100|to|300|ktonTNT|TJ}} | guidance = | detonation = | launch_platform = {{ubl |Dassault Rafale |Dassault Mirage IV (retired) |Dassault Mirage 2000N (retired) |Dassault Super Étendard (retired) }} }}

The '''Air-sol moyenne portée''' ('''ASMP'''; {{Lit|Medium-Range Air-to-Surface}}) is a French nuclear-armed air-launched cruise missile manufactured by MBDA France. In French nuclear doctrine, it serves what is referred to as a "pre-strategic" deterrence role. It is intended to be the ultimate "warning shot" prior to the full-scale employment of the strategic nuclear weapons arming the Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines. The missile's development was undertaken by Aérospatiale's missile systems division, whose assets are now part of MBDA.

The ASMP entered service in May 1986. The development of an upgraded version, the ASMP-A, was launched in 1997 and service entry occurred in 2009. In 2016, yet another modernization program, the ASMPA-R, was launched. The first firing test of the ASMPA-R took place in December 2021 and the second in March 2022.

The ASN4G air-launched hypersonic cruise missile, under development as of 2014, is expected to succeed the ASMP from 2035 onwards.

==Development==

===ASMP=== The ASMP entered service in May 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, Dassault Rafale and Super Étendard. The Mirage IVP carried the ASMP until retired in 1996.

ASMP and ASMP-A are {{convert|5.38|m|ft}} long and weigh {{convert|860|kg|lb}}. It is a supersonic standoff missile powered by a liquid fuel ramjet.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Auran|first=Jean Francois|date=October 2021|title=French Strategic Forces: Nuclear Defenders|page=33|work=Air Forces Monthly}}</ref> It flies at Mach 2 to Mach 3, with a range between {{convert|80|and|300|km|mi|sigfig=2}} for the ASMP and {{convert|500|km|mi}} for the ASMP-A depending on flight profile. The ASMP uses the TN 81 warhead, which has a variable-yield of {{convert|100|to|300|ktonTNT|TJ}}.

In 1991, 90 missiles and 80 warheads were reported to have been produced. By 2001, 60 of them were reported as operational.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Norris|first1=Robert S.|last2=Arkin|first2=William M.|last3=Kristensen |first3=Hans M.|last4=Handler|first4=Joshua|year=2001 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00963402.2001.11460479?needAccess=true |title=French Nuclear Forces, 2001|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|volume=57|issue=4|pages=70–71|doi=10.1080/00963402.2001.11460479 |bibcode=2001BuAtS..57d..70. |orig-date=July/August 2001|access-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>

===ASLP Air-Sol Longue Portée===

An extended range version of the ASMP (up to 1200 km) was developed by Aerospatiale in the 1990s. It featured a rear delta wing planform blended forward into the flat undersurface body, one dorsal air intake. Aerospatiale also proposed it a joint Franco-British project for the United Kingdom's SR(A) 1244 requirement, a nuclear-armed standoff missile also known as Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile (TASM). Development did not proceed beyond a mockup of the missile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Developments in Missile Ramjet Propulsion |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA322627.pdf |access-date=November 22, 2025 |website=apps.dtic.mil}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://irp.fas.org/threat/missile/france.htm|title=Missile Proliferation - France|website=irp.fas.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greco |first=Ettore |title=BRITISH AND FRENCH NUCLEAR FORCES AND EUROPEAN SECURITY |url=https://www.iai.it/sites/default/files/iai9016.pdf |access-date=November 22, 2025 |website=www.iai.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile - Archived 3/98 |url=https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=1103 |access-date=November 22, 2025 |website=www.forecastinternational.com}}</ref>

==={{Anchor|ASMP-A|ASMPA|Air-Sol Moyenne Portée-Amélioré}} ASMP-A=== An upgraded version known as '''Air-Sol Moyenne Portée-Amélioré''' (ASMP-A) for (improved ASMP) has a range of about {{convert|500|km|mi}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deagel.com/Land-Attack-Cruise-Missiles/ASMP-A_a001115002.aspx|title=Ancile|website=www.deagel.com|accessdate=5 April 2023}}</ref> at a speed of up to Mach 3 with the new Tête Nucléaire Aéroportée (TNA) 300 kt thermonuclear warhead.<ref name="airforce-technology.com-20130925">{{Cite news |url=http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsfrench-air-force-evaluates-asmpa-enhanced-stand-off-missile|title=French Air Force evaluates ASMPA enhanced stand-off missile|newspaper=Airforce Technology |date=1 July 2001|access-date=24 January 2016|author1=Admin }}</ref> It entered service in October 2009 with the Mirage 2000NK3 of squadron EC 3/4 at Istres and in July 2010 with the Rafales of squadron EC 1/91 at Saint Dizier.<ref>Robert Hewson, "French ASMP-A missile enters service". ''Jane's Defence Weekly''. July 14, 2010, p. 14.</ref> 54 ASMP-A have been delivered to French Air and Space Force.<ref name="FrancoisHollande-20150219">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/issues/policies/President-Hollande-Speech-on_a921.pdf|title=French Air Force evaluates ASMPA enhanced stand-off missile|date=19 February 2015|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-date=1 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201120110/http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/issues/policies/President-Hollande-Speech-on_a921.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== ASMPA-R === The ASMPA-R (renovated) project, launched in 2016, will see some components replaced by newer ones (hence "renewed"), the missile's range extended and a new 300kt thermonuclear warhead added.<ref name=":0" /> It also has a slightly different rear fin arrangement.<ref name=Trevithick /> First flight test occurred in December 2021 and the second in March 2022. After entering operational service, it was first fired by the French Air and Space Force as part of the French nuclear exercise "Operation Durandal" in May 2024.<ref>{{cite web |website=defense.gouv |date={{date|2024/05/22}} |title=Rafale standard F5 : premières commandes notifiées aux industriels |url=https://www.opex360.com/2024/05/22/les-forces-aeriennes-strategiques-ont-effectue-un-premier-tir-devaluation-du-missile-asmpa-renove/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2024/05/24/france-conducts-launch-of-asmpa-r/|title=France Successfully Conducts Evaluation Launch Of ASMPA-R Nuclear Missile (With Inert Warhead)|first=Jacek|last=Siminski|date=24 May 2024}}</ref> According to the French government it entered service with the Force Aeronavale Nucleaire 10 November 2025.<ref name=Trevithick>{{cite news |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=13 November 2025 |title=France’s New Nuclear-Armed Supersonic Cruise Missile Seen Clearly For The First Time |url=https://www.twz.com/air/frances-new-nuclear-armed-supersonic-cruise-missile-seen-clearly-for-the-first-time |work=The War Zone |publisher=Recurrent Ventures |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

== Successor == {{Main|ASN4G}} Studies for the successor to the ASMP missile, currently known as ''ASN4G'' (Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération), a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile,<ref name="auto">{{cite web |website=defense.gouv |date={{date|2024/10/09}} |title=Rafale standard F5 : premières commandes notifiées aux industriels |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/rafale-standard-f5-premieres-commandes-notifiees-aux-industriels }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web |website=bfmtv.com |date={{date|2024/10/09}} |title=Drone furtif, missile nucléaire hypersonique: ce que l'on sait des innovations du futur cyber Rafale |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/entreprises/defense/drone-furtif-missile-nucleaire-hypersonique-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-innovations-du-futur-cyber-rafale_AV-202410090472.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2021/05/france-nuclear-recapitalisation | title=Counting the cost of deterrence: France's nuclear recapitalisation }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nonproliferation.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EUNPDC_no-80.pdf|access-date=5 April 2023|website=nonproliferation.eu|title=Hypersonic Missile Proliferation: An Emerging European Problem?|date=May 2022|author=Timothy Wright}}</ref> were confirmed to have already begun in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.opex360.com/2014/11/21/lasn4g-sera-le-futur-missile-des-forces-aeriennes-strategiques/|title = L'ASN4G sera le futur missile des forces aériennes stratégiques|date = 21 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=1 June 2015|author=Bruno Tertrais |url=https://www.frstrategie.org/publications/notes/web/documents/2015/201510.pdf|access-date=5 April 2023|website=frstrategie.org |title=Deterrence according to François Hollande}}</ref> The ASN4G will be carried by the Rafale F5 fighter and its successor;<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/> the requirement is for a missile range much greater than {{convert|1000|km|mi|sigfig=1}}. The ASN4G is being developed by MBDA France in cooperation with the ONERA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2017/12/08/former-procurement-official-joins-mbda-as-france-eyes-new-munitions/|title = Former procurement official joins MBDA as France eyes new munitions|date = 8 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://geopolitiki.com/asmp-air-sol-moyenne-portee-french-nuclear-cruise/|title = ASMP/-A Nuclear Cruise Missile: The Development and Capabilities|date = 4 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.opex360.com/2018/03/08/avion-emporter-futur-missile-nucleaire-hypersonique-forces-aeriennes-strategiques/|title = Quel avion pour emporter le futur missile nucléaire hypersonique des Forces aériennes stratégiques?|date = 8 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/air-force/2015/10/17/onera-explores-mach-8-missile-engine-technology/73928488/|title=Onera Explores Mach-8 Missile Engine Technology|date=8 August 2017}}</ref>

==Operators== ;{{FRA}} * French Air and Space Force * French Navy

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://fas.org/nuke/guide/france/bomber/asmp.htm ASMP on FAS.org] * [http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9m9n9_lyasmp-a-nouvelle-arme-de-la-dissua_news L’ASMP-A, nouvelle arme de la dissuasion, Ministère de la Defense]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Air-Sol Moyenne Portee}} Category:Air-launched cruise missiles Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of France Category:Air-to-surface missiles of France Category:Cruise missiles of France Category:Nuclear cruise missiles Category:Nuclear air-to-surface missiles Category:Nuclear missiles of France Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1986