Tag Archives: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

Air, Missiles & Guided Weapons

Joint Strike Missile

Raytheon Technologies is working with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to build a long-distance air-launched weapon with a standoff range of more than 150 miles/241 km, meant to keep pilots and their aircraft out of harm’s way.

Joint Strike Missile (JSM)
The adaptable Joint Strike Missile can give pilots the upper hand

The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) flies at low altitudes and high subsonic speeds and can rapidly change course to effectively strike threats on land or at sea. Fielding JSM comes as China begins to roll out missiles with greater speed, agility and punch.

JSM provides the ability to launch from positions of sanctuary and strike targets that are difficult to find and very well-defended which is an incredible tactical advantage.

 

Smart tech

Some of the modernized technology wired into the JSM includes an infrared seeker to detect threats on its own, ability to fly low under the radar and a navigation system that supports course changes in flight to avoid the enemy. The JSM’s two-way data link offers pilots the flexibility they need to alter or scrap a mission, because decisions in the thick of battle are made in seconds.

The Joint Strike Missile’s agility, pinpoint accuracy and stealthy shape allow it to penetrate enemy air defenses, while minimizing pilots’ exposure.

The JSM is the only fifth-generation cruise missile designed to be carried internally by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It’s adaptable to multiple platforms and can be fitted externally on legacy aircraft.

 

Half-century partnership

Raytheon Technologies tapped its 50-year partnership with Kongsberg Gruppen to deliver the JSM, an evolution of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which was originally developed for Norway’s Navy. The NSM is a long-range, precision strike weapon that seeks and destroys enemy ships at distances greater than 100 nautical miles/115 miles/185 km.

In 2018, Raytheon Technologies was awarded a U.S. Navy contract to manufacture and deliver NSM for over-the-horizon defense of littoral combat ships and future frigates. NSM launcher and missile production takes place at the company’s factory in Louisville, Kentucky, with final assembly and testing at its Tucson, Arizona, facility.

The two companies also partner on the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, which comprises the Sentinel radar, Kongsberg Fire Distribution Center and Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) missile. NASAMS helps pilots identify, engage and destroy enemy aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.

The JSM partnership, struck in 2014, could save the U.S. a decade of development work. This approach aligns with the National Defense Strategy, which calls for mutually beneficial partnerships to provide a strategic advantage over competitors.

 

Promising future

Norway’s Ministry of Defense successfully test-fired live JSMs from F-16 Fighting Falcons in 2018. JSM is currently being integrated on the F-35 Lightning II with live fire missions conducted from Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Raytheon Technologies and Kongsberg expect to reach initial operating capability – the final stage of development – and deliver JSM to the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2024.

Missiles & Guided Weapons, Navy, Rocket

Naval Strike Missile

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has signed an initial contract valued at MNOK 489 with the Commonwealth of Australia for Naval Strike Missile (NSM) capability. The order income is booked in second quarter 2022.

Naval Strike Missile (NSM)
KONGSBERG signs initial contract with the Commonwealth of Australia for Naval Strike Missile capability

On 5 April 2022, the Federal Government announced the accelerated acquisition of the NSM to replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers.

Øyvind Kolset, Executive Vice President Missile Systems in Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, stated «Signing this initial contract to commence the acquisition of an Australian NSM capability is a very important milestone.  This is a clear demonstration of KONGSBERG’s commitment to the accelerated delivery of NSM to the Royal Australian Navy to meet their requirements», said Kolset.

Developed in Norway, KONGSBERG’s NSM is a fifth-generation, long-range, precision strike missile designed to defeat heavily protected maritime targets in contested environments.

Missiles & Guided Weapons

Air Defence Systems

On June 19 the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) medium-range air defence systems procured from Norway were delivered to the Air Defence Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The modern air defence equipment will provide the Lithuanian Air Force with a several tens of kilometres effective range capability.

NASAMS medium-range air defence systems delivered to the Lithuanian Air Force

«Arrival of the systems has made the Lithuanian air defence stronger and contributes to further strengthening of deterrence. If we link together all elements of the defence system, we get good results that will make potential aggressor think twice, and consequently give us more security and discretion», Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupšys says.

NASAMS is the most widely used mid-range air defence system in NATO member states, and even for guarding the airspace over the White House. Lithuania has acquired the most recent, their generation, NASAMS 3, its current users are still only the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Norway, the manufacturer.

The procured NASAMS systems comprise many components – fire control centres, missile launchers, communications equipment, etc. Lithuania also upgraded the RBS70 short-range air defence systems it has been using, both systems will be integrated to form an overall Lithuanian airspace defence shield.

Training of qualified personnel for work with the new equipment began in Norway in the end of last year according to methodology and programs developed by the Norwegian Armed Forces and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Further training will be carried in Lithuania by Norwegian professionals on the ground, in the Air Defence Battalion. The personnel are planned to be fully trained by 2021 and integration of the systems into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS) will begin.

Missiles & Guided Weapons, Rocket

Wind tunnel tests

Raytheon Company successfully completed more than 1,700 rigorous wind tunnel tests on the newest, extended-range variant of the combat-proven Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Testing is a major step in the missile’s qualification for integration with the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).

Raytheon engineers recently completed wind tunnel testing on a new, extended-range variant of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile. Testing is a key step in qualifying the missile for the NASAMS launch system
Raytheon engineers recently completed wind tunnel testing on a new, extended-range variant of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile. Testing is a key step in qualifying the missile for the NASAMS launch system

The AMRAAM-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) missile is a ground-launched weapon that will intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes. The missile’s bigger rocket motor and smarter flight control algorithms give it a boost in range.

«During these tests, we put AMRAAM-ER through a full range of potential flight conditions to validate the missile’s future performance on the battlefield», said Kim Ernzen, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. «Raytheon is developing this missile to enhance ground-based air defense for our customers worldwide».

Raytheon engineers will now analyze data from the wind tunnel test runs to verify and update the AMRAAM-ER missile’s aerodynamic models to maximize its performance.

Raytheon AMRAAM-ER Missile Goes Long and Flies High

 

About NASAMS

Manufactured by Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, NASAMS is the most widely used short- and medium-range air defense system in NATO. NASAMS provides a high-firepower, networked and distributed state-of-the-art air defense system that can quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving threat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and emerging cruise missile threats.

 

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2018 sales of $27 billion and 67,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 97 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence (C5I) products and services, sensing, effects and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.