Naval News: 

On December 9 2020, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) along with MBDA and Dassault successfully carried out the first test launch of the updated ASMPA air-launched nuclear cruise missile (missile Air-Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré). The missile is in service with the French Navy’s Rafale M fighters.

This development launch was performed for MBDA, which acts as prime contractor, from a Rafale fighter jet operated by Dassault Aviation. The test firing was supported by the French Navy and the French Air and Space Force .Throughout the flight phase, the missile was monitored by DGA Essais de missiles in Biscarosse, Hourtin and Quimper, with the participation of DGA Essais en vol.

The ASMPA is a supersonic cruise missile carrying a nuclear warhead. It is part of France’s airborne nuclear component. The ASMPA was initially used on the Mirage 2000N-K3 fighter-bomber until 2018, before being integrated on the Rafale F3R. The missile entered ervice with the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) in 2009 and with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) in 2010.

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