Story ID: 
Sagem Launches Vertical-attack Laser AASM
By: David Donald
Caption: Announced last week was the first successful test of the 250-kilogram laser-guided version of Sagem’s AASM modular weapon.
Word Count: 110
Announced last week was the first successful test of the 250-kilogram laser-guided version of Sagem’s AASM modular weapon. The laser AASM was launched from a Rafale and hit a target at the Biscarrosse range 25 kilometers away. AASM versions already qualified are the basic inertial/GPS guided bomb, and a version that adds imaging infrared. With a laser seeker replacing the infrared, the new version gives one-meter accuracy, and incorporates advanced algorithms that allow the weapon to attack its target with a vertical trajectory in the terminal phase. The benefits of attacking from directly above are full control of the impact parameters and reduced collateral damage compared to slant attacks.