Advanced Air Defense System Successfully Tested

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The first live-fire test of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) variant for the National/Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) was successfully completed. 

AMRAAM-ER will deliver a new land-based missile defense capability to warfighters through its enhanced speed, range, altitude, and maneuverability. 

The test conducted by Raytheon Missiles & Defense and KONGSBERG, a Norway-based defense technology company, provided critical flight data that will be used to improve the missile’s future software algorithms. 

The test team also used a new NASAMS launcher that can accommodate AMRAAM-ER’s larger size.

AMRAAM-ER is designed specifically for ground-based air defense. The missile, which is powered by a Nammo-manufactured rocket motor, enables intercepts at longer ranges and higher altitudes when compared to other effectors. Once integrated with NASAMS, the system will provide increased air defense protection in the medium-range air defense market. 

NASAMS is owned by 12 countries and has been integrated into the U.S. National Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005. It is a highly adaptable mid-range air defense solution. The whole system consists of the Sentinel radar, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, and KONGSBERG’s Fire Distribution Center. It is a modern air defense missile system able to identify, engage and destroy current and evolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and emerging cruise missile threats. The missile is able to hit targets at a range of up to 40 km and at an altitude of up to 14 km, according to armyrecognition.com.