Sagem (Safran) has signed a major contract with the arms authority of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense for AASM Hammer air-to-ground missiles to be deployed by the Egyptian Air Force.

This contract follows the acquisition by Egypt of 24 Rafale omnirole fighters from Dassault Aviation.

Developed and produced by Sagem as prime contractor, the AASM Hammer is a new family of precision-guided air-to-ground weapons. In fact, the Hammer system adds a propulsion kit and a choice of guidance kits to standard bombs.

Sagem will deliver the first AASM Hammer missiles by the end of 2016, along with associated support services. The contract with Egypt covers all three versions of the AASM Hammer now in service: hybrid inertial/GPS guidance, inertial/GPS and terminal infrared guidance, and inertial/GPS plus laser terminal guidance.

Offering a range exceeding 60 kilometers, the AASM Hammer missile will give Egypt's Rafales a significant operational advantage, because of their ability to conduct all-weather, day/night precision ground strikes against fixed or moving targets, while also reducing collateral damage.

The AASM Hammer missile has been deployed since 2008 by French air force and navy Rafales, contributing to these services' successful missions in different theaters of operation.

At the ongoing Paris Air Show, all three current versions of the AASM Hammer are on display at the Safran stand, as well as in Dassault Aviation's static exhibition area, the French Ministry of Defense's pavilion, and the stand hosted by Rafaut, a partner to Sagem and the company AA/ROK for the integration of Hammer missiles as external stores on the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, using the Gerfaut system.