How do you turn an air-to-air missile into an even more robust solution for ground-based air defence? Give it longer reach and integrate it into a proven air defense system, according to Raytheon.
Raytheon recently completed extensive lab testing on a new extended range variant of the combat-proven Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The tests validate that extended range AMRAAM-ER can be integrated and employed from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
"AMRAAM-ER significantly expands the capability of our NASAMS ground-based air defence system. The new surface-launched missile will have a longer range and higher speed than the current AMRAAM," Mike Jarrett, Raytheon vice president of Air Warfare Systems, said. "By leveraging components from existing weapons programs, Raytheon is on a fast track to deliver AMRAAM-ER affordably and with very low risk."
Designed specifically for ground-based air defence, the AMRAAM-ER missile will be fielded as part of NASAMS. Along with Raytheon’s AN/MPQ-64 F1 SENTINEL radar and Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Centre and canister launcher, the system will provide increased protection in the medium range air defence market.
NASAMS is a tailorable, state-of-the-art networked air defense system that combines redundancy and survivability with great firepower. The system can quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving threats – like enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or cruise missiles.
Raytheon recently completed extensive lab testing on a new extended range variant of the combat-proven Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The tests validate that extended range AMRAAM-ER can be integrated and employed from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
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| An AMRAAM AIM-120C7 missile is fired from a Kongsberg NASAMS canister launcher during international Thor's Hammer exercises in Sweden late last year. Raytheon is developing an extended-range version of the missile for ground-based air defence. (Photo: Raytheon) |
Designed specifically for ground-based air defence, the AMRAAM-ER missile will be fielded as part of NASAMS. Along with Raytheon’s AN/MPQ-64 F1 SENTINEL radar and Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Centre and canister launcher, the system will provide increased protection in the medium range air defence market.
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| AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved SENTINEL Radar. (Photo: Raytheon) |
NASAMS is a tailorable, state-of-the-art networked air defense system that combines redundancy and survivability with great firepower. The system can quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving threats – like enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or cruise missiles.