Nord AA.20

The development of the AA.20 missile began in 1953, when the French government placed a contract with SFECMAS, subsequently merged into Nord Aviation. Developed alongside the SS.10 anti-tank missile, it was designated the Type 5103. The project's goals were simple; the AA.20 was always regarded as a stepping stone to a more advanced missile, ==Description==

The AA.20 was command guided, using a similar system to that used by Nord's anti-tank missiles, although it also meant that the missile could not be used at night or in bad weather. The overall shape of the missile was to be later used on a series of air-to-ground missiles (AS-20 then AS-30, which evolved into the AS-30L laser-guided variant (the first French laser-guided air-to-ground weapon). ==AA.25==

Aimed at addressing the major flaws of the AA.20, specifically the fact that the missile could not be used at night or in poor weather, the French developed the AA.25, which was essentially a radar-beam riding version of the AA.20, using the target-tracking beam of the CSF Cyrano Ibis radar fitted to the Mirage IIIC. Many AA.20 missiles were converted to AA.25 standard. A further version of the missile, designated the AA.26, with semi-active homing was planned but the competing R.511 missile was adopted instead. ==Citations==