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regularly deployed on the Afghan theatre in support of ISAF since 2008. An innovative new-generation precision weapon using both GPS and inertial guidance, the AASM somehow flls the capability gap existing today between laser-guided bombs —with limited range and requiring continuous laser illumination towards the target— and far more expensive cruise missiles that provide much longer range. The AASM is for the time-being only operational with France’s aviation, but it has largely demonstrated its operational capabilities in combat, as the AASM ofers a high degree of operational fexibility. This fexibility is mainly due

limits the risk of collateral damage. For instance, on 28 March, was it revealed by Colonel Thierry Burkhard, the French Armed Forces spokesman: “No collateral damage or civilian casualties has been reported to this date during strikes

ÿ 27 March 2011, a French Air Force Dassault Rafale C from squadron EC 1/7 is seen topping off behind the boom of a French Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker after egressing the Libyan No-Fly Zone. 27 de março de 2011, um Dassault Rafale C da Força Aérea Francesa, pertencente ao esquadrão EC 1/7 é reabastecido por um C-135FR Stratotanker após deixar a zona de exclusão aérea líbia. É possível notar-se que a aeronave não utilizou nenhuma de suas bombas AASMs. © EMACOM

to the PGM’s diferent guidance modes, powerful navigation algorithms that minimize fight-time to impact and its intrinsic qualities, enabling it to carry out a wide variety of conventional air-to-ground missions, while also ofering new tactical possibilities actually not yet fully exploited in actual “live” situations. A remarkable fact: the AASM can be used in “time sensitive targeting”

type operations, characterized by short decision cycles. For example close air support for troops or suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) in full stand-of mode. Moreover, the AASM’s very high terminal precision also signifcantly