National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS™) is a highly adaptable mid-range solution for any operational air defense requirement. The system provides the air defender with a tailorable, state-of-the-art defense system that can maximize their ability to quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and emerging cruise missile threats.
NASAMS is owned by eleven countries and has been integrated into the U.S. National Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005. In addition to the U.S., Norway, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, Oman, Lithuania, Indonesia, Australia, Qatar and one undisclosed country have chosen to depend on NASAMS for homeland defense and the defense of critical assets.
Together with Norwegian partner KONGSBERG Defence and Aerospace, AS, Raytheon continues to integrate new capabilities into NASAMS to develop and field highly capable and fully integrated solutions. NASAMS is comprised of the Raytheon Sentinel radar, the KONGSBERG Fire Distribution Center, and the Raytheon Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile. Built on a modular, distributed, open hardware and software architecture, NASAMS is well positioned to enable future technology, feature and capability insertion including sensors and missiles. As the NASAMS user community grows, new technology insertions will provide current and future NASAMS partners access to the most technologically advanced and combat-ready system in the world.
Quick Facts
| Role and Mobility | Mid-Range Air Defense; Highly mobile, mounted on truck or rail |
| Interceptor and Range | SLAMRAAAM; 40 km |
| Targets | Aircraft, UAVs, and Cruise Missiles |
| Status and Exports | Operational; Norway, The Netherlands, Spain, United States (defense of the National Capital Region), Finland, Oman, Lithuania, Indonesia and an undisclosed nation |
| Producer | Raytheon and Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace (Norway) |
Overview
Also known as the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is designed for mid-range air defense and can be deployed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs. The system is also fielded to protect high-value assets and mass population centers—including the National Capital Region—against air-to-surface threats.
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/...d-surface-to-air-missile-system-nasams/#_edn1
Jointly designed by Raytheon and Kongsberg, NASAMS reached operational capability in 1994 and was first deployed by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The system can engage 72 targets simultaneously in active and passive modes and, using active seeker missiles, can intercept targets beyond visual range. The NASAMS is armed with three launchers, each carrying up to six missiles. The primary weapon used by the system is the AIM-120 AMRAAM, however, the system can also employ AIM-9X Sidewinder, ESSM, and indigenous missiles.[ii]
The NASAMS uses Raytheon MPQ-64F1 Sentinel high-resolution, 3D pencil beam surveillance radar, which detects and tracks targets. The system is also fitted with a passive electro-optic and infrared sensor, hard-real-time communication network, and an embedded and standalone mission planning tool. The NASAMS uses a fire distribution center command-and-control unit to perform the battle management command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (BMC4I) functions.[iii]
An upgraded version of the system called NASAMS II has been in service since 2007 and is equipped with new radar and 12 missile launchers for quicker identification and target destruction. In June 2015, Raytheon and Kongsberg entered into a 10-year agreement to expand their partnership on NASAMS until 2025.[iv]
In 2003, the Spanish Army acquired four NASAMS. Since 2006, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands have ordered the upgraded NASAMS II air defense system.
Note: NASMS ER has an additional 40km range.
