However, because of its larger size, the AS-30 in addition has four smaller fins at the rear of the missile body to increase stability in flight.

A short-burn-time booster section exhausts through two large nozzles located midway between the rear edges of the missile's large fins, after which a longer-burn-time sustainer ignites, and exhausts through a nozzle located at the center of the back of the missile body.

The AS-30L is employed for attacking targets which require a high degree of precision to engage effectively, but are also potentially dangerous enough to necessitate a longer-distance "stand off" attack profile to reduce the danger to the aircraft and pilot to ground-based anti-aircraft defences.

The missile has a range of 3 to 11 kilometers, carries a 240 kilogram warhead, and claims a 1-meter CEP with either airborne or ground-based laser designators.

The South African Air Force used several Blackburn Buccaneers armed with AS-30 missiles to sink the SS Wafra on March 10, 1971 but without success.