Ukrainian forces recently carried out a targeted strike on a Russian observation post hidden in a building along the Dnipro River.
100 Kilograms of TNT
Using a French-supplied AASM Hammer glide bomb, the attack highlights the strategic use of advanced munitions in the ongoing conflict, according to Tech.
The AASM Hammer, or Armament Air-Sol Modulaire, is a highly agile, extended-range bomb designed for precision strikes. Unlike traditional artillery, which has limited explosive power, the AASM Hammer packs over 100 kilograms of TNT, significantly more than a standard 155mm shell.
This makes it particularly effective against fortified targets, as demonstrated in the strike near Nova Kakhovka.
A Modular Guidance System
Ukraine's limited number of operational aircraft means that such high-value targets are carefully selected for these powerful bombs.
The MiG-29 jet, often the platform for these strikes, can deploy the AASM Hammer from both high and low altitudes. When released from a high altitude, the bomb can hit targets up to 70 kilometers away.
Even at lower altitudes, the bomb's rocket booster extends its range to 15 kilometers, outdistancing many Russian anti-aircraft systems like the Pantsir-S1.
One of the bomb's key features is its modular guidance system, which can be tailored to battlefield conditions.
The standard module uses inertial and satellite navigation, but more advanced options include laser-guided and electro-optical systems. The latter allows for "fire-and-forget" targeting, using thermal imaging to track and hit moving targets autonomously, though at a higher cost.
