Context:
France has marked a significant milestone in its defence capabilities by successfully testing the updated ASMPA supersonic missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About ASMPA Missile
- Type: The Air-Sol Medium Range (ASMP/ASMP-A) is an air-launched land-attack supersonic cruise missile.
- Payload: Carries a nuclear payload.
- Role: Central component of France’s nuclear deterrent force.
Versions
ASMP (1986):
- Range: 80 to 300 km.
- Warhead: TN 81 with a variable yield of 100 to 300 kilotons of TNT.
ASMP-A (2009):
- Range: Extended up to 500 km.
- Warhead: New 300 kt thermonuclear warhead.
- ASMPA-R Project: A renovated version intended to add additional range and support new advancements in the warhead.
Features
Dimensions:
- Length: 5.38 meters.
- Body Diameter: 0.38 meters.
- Launch Weight: 860 kg.
- Guidance: Inertial-guided, likely using terrain-mapping and a pre-programmed onboard computer.
- Motor Assembly: Comprises a solid-propellant engine that fires after the missile is released from the aircraft.
Performance
Initial Acceleration:
- Speed: Accelerates to Mach 2.0 in five seconds.
- Process: After ignition, the booster cartridge is ejected from the ramjet exhaust nozzle.
Secondary Acceleration:
- Motor: Liquid (kerosene)–powered ramjet motor.
- Maximum Speed: Mach 3.0, depending on altitude.
-Source: The Hindu
