Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
Why in News?
India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and the French firm Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) recently signed a joint venture cooperation agreement (JVCA) to produce HAMMER.
- HAMMER is a modular guidance and propulsion kit fitted onto conventional bombs to make them Precise (GPS/INS or laser-guided), Long-range, and All-weather capable.
- It is also known as a glide bomb.
- It was developed by France.
- Key Features –
- Modular design
- Guidance kit (front section) – Provides navigation and target accuracy
- Range extension & propulsion unit (rear section) – Adds glide and powered range
- Bomb body (middle) – Standard warhead (250 kg, 500 kg, 1000 kg class)
- Guidance Types
- INS/GPS – For fixed targets in any weather
- Laser guidance – For moving/high-value targets
- Imaging Infrared (IIR) – For terminal targeting (in advanced models)
- Extended Range
- Low altitude launch - ~15–20 km
- High altitude launch - Up to 70 km
- High Accuracy - CEP (Circular Error Probable)- Less than 10 meters
- Platforms that use HAMMER
- Rafale (India, France, Egypt, Qatar)
- Mirage 2000
- Other NATO-compatible aircraft (with integration)
- Significance for India - India uses HAMMER with the Rafale fighter jets, giving the Indian Air Force:
- Stand-off strike capability
- Deep-strike precision
- Better survivability by avoiding enemy air defenses
- Ability to strike in mountainous terrain (useful along northern borders)
Reference
The Indian Express | Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER)
