As reported by Futura Sciences on December 26, 2024, the French ASN4G (Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération) missile is scheduled to become operational by 2035 and is designed to enhance France’s ability to maintain credible deterrence in evolving geopolitical and technological environments. This hypersonic, air-launched nuclear missile, currently under development by MBDA France with support from ONERA, is intended to replace the ASMPA (Air-Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré) missile as part of France’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
In 2014, the French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed the ASN4G program, with initial research focusing on two key approaches: stealth and hypervelocity.
The ASN4G is expected to achieve speeds between Mach 6 and Mach 7, significantly surpassing the ASMPA’s capabilities. This speed, coupled with advanced maneuverability, will enable the missile to evade radar detection and interception by sophisticated air defense systems. The range of the ASN4G will exceed 1,000 kilometers, doubling that of the ASMPA and providing greater operational flexibility. The missile will also feature stealth characteristics achieved through the use of specialized materials, reducing radar visibility while withstanding extreme aerodynamic and thermal conditions during flight.
Propulsion for the ASN4G is based on a scramjet engine, developed as part of the PROMETHEE program. This propulsion system uses mixed-combustion technology to transition between subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speeds, ensuring the missile’s capability to maintain high velocity over long distances. The missile’s compact design ensures compatibility with existing platforms, including the Rafale F5 fighter jet and future systems such as the Next Generation Fighter (NGF) from the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. It will also be deployable from French aircraft carriers.
The development of the ASN4G began in the 1990s alongside the modernization of the ASMPA. In 2014, the French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed the program, with initial research focusing on two key approaches: stealth and hypervelocity. The choice to prioritize hypersonic speed was based on its effectiveness in penetrating increasingly advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems.