View source for AS-20

{{About|the French missile|the modern Russian 'Kayak' missile|Kh-35}}

{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=AS-20
|image=Fiat G91R DX.jpg
|caption=Italian [[Fiat G.91]] on display with an AS-20 missile model
|origin=France
|type=[[air-to-surface missile]]
|used_by=France, Germany, Italy, South Africa
|wars=
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=1961-1970s
|engine=
|engine_power=
|weight={{convert|143|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|260|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|height=
|diameter={{convert|25|cm|in|abbr=on}}
|wingspan={{convert|80|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|speed=Mach 1.7
|vehicle_range={{convert|10|km|nmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling=
|filling_weight={{convert |33|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|detonation=
|yield=
|guidance=[[MCLOS]] via radio link
|launch_platform=
}}
The '''AS-20''' ('''Type 5110''') was a French [[air-to-surface missile]] developed during the late 1950s. It was similar to the U.S. [[AGM-12 Bullpup]] missile.

==Development==
The AS-20 was based on an earlier [[Nord Aviation]] [[air-to-air missile]] the [[AA.20]] (designated Type 5103). Only minor changes were required to make it an air-to-surface missile, the size of the [[warhead]] was increased as a result of replacing the large [[proximity fuze]] with a simple impact fuze.

==Design==
The AS-20 had four steeply swept-back fins, cruciform in [[geometry|cross-section]] around the midsection of its body. It used a [[dual-thrust]] [[solid rocket motor]], which [[exhaust system|exhaust]]ed through two large [[nozzles]] during the boost stage, and a single center line nozzle during the sustain stage. The AS-20 uses a simple [[MCLOS]] guidance with the pilot aligning the flares on the missile's rear with the target and controlling the missile in flight after launch with a small [[joystick]] sending steering commands to the missile via a radio link.  The steering commands steer the missile back to the line-of-sight by [[thrust vectoring]] by the movement of one of four metal vanes around the center sustainer nozzle.  The missile's internal gyro gives the missile command unit, the correct position of the missile in flight, and to which of the four thrust vanes to actuate at the correct time.

==Operational history==
Approximately 8,000 of the missiles were built, with the missile entering service in 1961. The AS-20 was one of the primary weapons of the [[Fiat G.91]] of the West German Air Force and Italian Air Force during the 1960s and 1970s. It was phased out of service in most countries in the 1970s, being replaced in France by the larger [[AS-30L|AS-30]].

==Operators==
[[File:AS-20 operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with AS-20 operators in blue]]

===Former operators===
;{{FRA}}
;{{GER}}
;{{ITA}}
;{{RSA}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* https://web.archive.org/web/20111211034704/http://www.vectorsite.net/twbomb_08.html#m2

[[Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of France]]
[[Category:Air-to-surface missiles of France]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]]