OVERVIEW:  The AS.30L is a solid fuel, short-range, laser-guided, air-to-surface missile equipped with a 240 kg warhead.

DETAILS: The AS.30L is a precision attack weapon designed to be used against large high-value targets such as bridges and bunkers.   Using a delay fuse enables the AS.30L to penetrate 2 meters of concrete before exploding.

After launch, the AS.30 is guided to the target initially using inertial guidance and switching to semi-active laser homing during the terminal phase. The laser designation can be done by any 1.06 µm laser. However, it is usually performed by the ATLIS 2 (Automatic Tracking Laser Illumination System) pod for daytime use or later by the CLDP (Convertible Lase Designation Pod) for day/night use.  Unlike earlier versions of the AS.30, this guidance scheme allows for automatic acquisition, identification and automatic tracking operations, freeing the aircraft pilot to take evasive action after weapon release.  

 Although designed primarily for low-level attacks, during the Gulf War French Air Force Jaguar pilots said they usually started viewing targets through the modified ATLIS 2 pods as far as 16 to 20 km, using the pods' magnification feature. They launched the missiles from standoff distances of about 10 km and at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 ft.  For lower level attacks, AS-30L launches were made from a dive initiated at approximately 7,000 ft altitude, with release at 4,300 ft altitude.   



Specifications: 
Weight: 			520 kg 
Length: 			3.65 m 
Diameter: 		0.342 m 
Wingspan: 		1.0 m 
Speed:			 875 knts (1620 km/hr)
Range:			 1.6-6.5 nm (3-12 km)
CEP:			1.0 meters 


NOTES:  IOC:  1988. Used by Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan and Venezuela.  Can be carried by the Mirage III, Jaguar, Mirage F-1, upgraded Super Etendard, Mirage 2000D, Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale, F-104, Buccaneer, F-16 and Canberra.  
 


SOURCES:  Friedman, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. US Naval Institute Press, 1997, pg. 225 ;  "AS.30." Weaponsystems.net. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://weaponsystems.net/system/1162-AS.30. ; "AS-30L Aircraft Tactical Missile." Missilery.info | Missile Database. Descriptions and Specifications. Accessed April 27, 2023. https://en.missilery.info/missile/as30l. ; "Semi-automatic Command to Line of Sight." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified March 12, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-automatic_command_to_line_of_sight.  "Air-force." UrbanPK. Accessed April 28, 2023. https://urbanpk.com/pakdef/pakmilitary/airforce/asm/as30.html. ; GlobalSecurity.org. Accessed April 28, 2023. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/as30.htm
