[1] The development of the AA.20 missile began in 1953, when the French government placed a contract with SFECMAS, subsequently merged into Nord Aviation.

[1] The project's goals were simple; the AA.20 was always regarded as a stepping stone to a more advanced missile,[1] which would materialise as the R.530.

Angled, fixed wings imparted a steady roll rate, while a gyroscope provided information on the orientation of the missile to the control mechanism.

Four interrupter blades, placed around the sustainer motor's nozzle, provided steering, while a flare mounted on the rear of the missile aided in visual tracking for guidance.

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,[2] 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.