Raytheon launched an AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missile for the first time from a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), and engaged and destroyed a target during flight test supported by the Royal Norwegian Air Force at the Andoya Test Center in Norway.

“This flight test opened the door for NASAMS customers to add a vital, short-range layer to their ground-based air defense,” said Kim Ernzen, vice president of Raytheon Air Warfare Systems.

“Pairing Sidewinder with AMRAAM means forces can have complementary interceptors with a mix of sensors to better engage and destroy threats that may attempt to overwhelm a defense system.”

Jointly produced by Raytheon and KONGSBERG, NASAMS has been integrated into the US National Capital Region’s air defenCe system since 2005.

Seven countries have fielded NASAMS and two others are on contract for delivery.

“The NASAMS path of evolution continues by demonstrating yet another capability from the Raytheon family of missiles in the system, giving customers a true missile mix with AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X,” said Kjetil Myhra, executive vice president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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James
James
4 years ago

Love to no why all of the sudden after decades of dedicated launchers the utility of a single source launcher is now in fashion? Makes sense now as it did then so why waste so much time and resources on the obvious

Oscar Zulu
Oscar Zulu
4 years ago
Reply to  James

It is truly a versatile system allowing operators a ‘pick n mix’ combination of ranges and capabilities from the short range but highly agile AIM9X, to the true medium range AIM-120 AMRAAM-ER. The AMRAAM-ER combines the guidance section from the AMRAAM and the larger rocket motor the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and achieves a 50 percent increase in range and a 70 percent increase in altitude over the system’s baseline AMRAAM (similar in capability to MBDA’s ASTER 30-SAMP/T). Australia is one of those unnamed countries currently under contract for NASAMS. With all three donor Raytheon missiles already in service… Read more »

andy reeves
andy reeves
4 years ago
Reply to  Oscar Zulu

PARK A COUPLE ON THE Q.E FLIGHTDECK?

Pete
Pete
4 years ago

Wonder what the relative costs and benefits re having say 1 more F35 v having say 5 batteries of CAMM / meteor mix spread down the length and breadth of country.

How would uk deal with a saturation cruise missile attack without having medium to long range missile batteries?

P

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago
Reply to  Pete

I’ve mentioned this before on UKDJ Pete, including the land-based version of the Norwegian NSM to protect the UK, saving escort duties for our overstretched fleet.

They also produce the JSM for the F35 too (A/C internal only).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VRn3z4OA6M

Animal
Animal
4 years ago
Reply to  Pete

It Won’t.

andy reeves
andy reeves
4 years ago
Reply to  Pete

put a couple t the top of the rock pointing at spain!!

dan
dan
4 years ago

Nice system with a relatively small footprint. Would be nice if they made a mobile version to help protect troops on the move. This is something that the allies are sorely lacking. Stingers just won’t cut it anymore.

Oscar Zulu
Oscar Zulu
4 years ago
Reply to  dan

The Australian version of NASAMS will be mobile with both the CEA radar and the launchers mounted on Hawkei armouredb protected mobility vehicles (PMV-L)

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
4 years ago
Reply to  Oscar Zulu

Here’s a little bit more info on the Australian version for anyone who may be interested.

“Australian NASAMS to integrate locally designed active phased-array radars”
https://www.janes.com/article/87420/australian-nasams-to-integrate-locally-designed-active-phased-array-radars