Basic Information

Name

NASAMS Norwegian National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System

Designation

NASAMS

Alternate Designation

NASAMS

Equipment Type

Mobile Air Defense Missile System

Manufacturer

—

Date of Introduction

1998

Description

NASAMS (National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a distributed and networked medium to long range air-defense system. NASAMS was the first surface-based application for the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile).

Ground Specifications

Mobility Type Towed

Main Weapon AIM-120 AMRAAM

Active Protection None

Variants

NASAMS 2 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.

NASAMS 3 In April 2019 RNoAF upgraded to NASAMS 3, and in May 2019 the first live firing test were conducted.

System

Alternative Designation NASAMS

Type National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System

System Description A standard NASAMS unit has a modular design comprising a command post the FDC, an active 3D radar AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel, a passive electrooptical and infrared sensor and a number of missile canister launchers with AMRAAM missiles. Normally, a number of NASAMS fire units are netted together in a uniquely designed ”hard-realtime” communication network to ensure minimum latency over large distances for maximum system performance utilizing the unique capabilities of the AMRAAM missile.

Target Sets UAVs, Helicopters, Cruise Missiles, UCAVs, Aircraft

Features NASAMS features net centric architecture, multiple simultaneous engagements and beyond visual range (BVR) capabilities, closely integrated and adapted to a country’s adjacent weapons and command and control systems. The NASAMS network expands the defended area and enhances the total fighting capability of the armed forces.

Mission Configuration NASAMS is by nature a highly mobile system designed with focus on operational flexibility for protection of Air Bases, Sea Ports, Populated Areas, other High Value Assets and Army Forces. NASAMS has proven interoperability with Higher Echelon units and longer range systems, such as Patriot. The modular design permits mission oriented task force organization of NASAMS, allowing the operators to maximize the effect of the components and tailor the system to the task.

Geographical Area The radar and launcher elements can be deployed over a large area separated by more than 20 kilometres from the FDC, providing an extended coverage with few elements. Dispersed elements increase its survivability against enemy air and ground attacks.

Simultaneous Targets The system can engage 72 targets simultaneously in active and passive modes and, using active seeker missiles, can intercept targets beyond visual range.

NASAMS Architecture Open SW & HW architecture, COTS, Network Centric

Data Links Link 16, JRE, Link 11, Link 11B, LLAPI, ATDL-1

Evolution NASAMS is designed to evolve with the development of technology and can integrate with or utilize future technology when available. This can be future active or passive radars and sensors, Sense & Warn capability, and a wide range of effectors, like C-RAM, C-UAS and the Raytheon Family of Missiles; Aim 9X Sidewinder Block II, AIM-120 AMRAAM an AMRAAM ER. The evolution is enabled by the open architecture in the FDC.

Fire Distribution Center (FDC)

Description The Fire Distribution Center (FDC) is a proven and fielded Air Defence BMC4I module. With its State-of-the-Art technology it delivers a scalable, mobile and intuitive BMC4I for current and future Air Defence missions. The FDC has an open SW/HW architecture to enable fully netted and distributed operations. The architecture enables insertion of new technology and capabilities. The FDC ensures BMC4I functionality for any true mixed and layered Air Defence system configuration in national and multi-national scenarios. More than 120 FDCs are delivered as the BMC4I module for NASAMS, Coastal Defence, HAWK and BOC programs. The FDC is the C2 node of the NASAMS air defence system.The various AMRAAM models, AIM-9X and AMRAAM ER have all been fired from NASAMS. More than 10 different sensors have been integrated with the FDC. Standard tactical data links as well as several national proprietary data links are fully integrated, consequently the FDC enables full interoperability with national, EU and NATO forces. The FDC has embedded training, simulation and recording functionality. A high degree of commonality, use of commercial-of-the-shelf (COTS) and Non-Developmental Items represent a low risk-low life cycle cost (LCC) to satisfy current and evolving Air Defence requirements. The FDC has reduced manpower requirements compared to competitive systems.

FDC Configuration The same baseline FDC is used in multiple programs in various roles, delivering a true multi-domain capability. Functionality, interfaces and number of work stations can be selected and tailored to customer requirements. For mobility the FDC is shelter and vehicle independent and can also be delivered as a non-shelter version. Static versions can be mounted tailored to customer requirements based on the FDC interior. The following FDC configurations are available: BOC – Battalion Operation Center. A BOC can control multiple Air Defence Battalions or other weapon systems. GBADOC - Ground Based Air Defence Operation Center. A Higher Echelon GBAD C2 unit including a Current operations cell, a Planning cell, a Communications cell and real-time engagement operations. BFDC (HAWK) - Battery FDC in HAWK role to control up to 2 HAWK firing sections and network up to other FDCs in the battery. NASAMS FDC (AMRAAM) - The FDC in Fixed Wing, Helicopter, UAV, UCAS, Cruise Missile Defence role with defined tactical data links, sensor and weapon interfaces. Primary effectors are AMRAAM, AMRAAM Extended Range and AIM-9X. FDC-S (SHORAD/VSHORAD) - Optimized to control and coordinate SHORAD/ VSHORAD weapon systems. FDC - Coastal Defence – Interfaces and controls sensors and weapons for Coastal Defence and surface-to-surface operations firing the Naval Strike Missile (NSM). FDC - Precision Fires - Optimizing the use of an Army tactical air space to coordinate Multi-Domain Fires. The FDX gives the Army Battle Commander the tool he needs to coordinate all Precision Fires resources in real-time.

Interoperability and Integration The FDC truly integrates systems, sensors and effectors into ONE system. Higher Echelon Units, adjacent units, sensors, effectors and other battle forces are integrated through the mature and fielded Network Access Nodes utilizing fielded legacy protocols. The FDC has a wide range of fielded logical decision support tools ensuring ONE Integrated Air Picture, Common Operational Picture, Threat Evaluation and Weapon Allocation, providing a consistent Battle Command for all forces. The integration of tactical data links in the FDC handles relevant messages according to the standard message catalogue, and the implementation of functionality in the C4I software, to support the needed level of system interoperability. Such functionality undertakes the sequence of events, leading to maximized coordination between the FDC and other actors in the Multi-Domain Battle Space.

Missile System

Missile (Option 1)

Name AIM-120 AMRAAM

Type Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)

Manufacturer Unites States: Company: INA

Length 3.7 m

Diameter 180 mm

Wingspan 530 mm

Weight 152 kg

Warhead 22.7 kg of High explosive blast-fragmentation

Detonation Mechanism Active RADAR Target Detection Device (TDD)

Engine Solid-fuel rocket motor

Operational Range • AIM-120A/B: 55–75 km; • AIM-120C-5: 105 km; • AIM-120C-7: 120 km; • AIM-120D: 180 km

Maximum Speed Mach 4; 4,900 km/h

Guidance System Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing

Note The NASAM also fires the following AMRAAM Missiles: • AIM-120A/B: 55–75 km; • AIM-120C-5: 105 km; • AIM-120C-7: 120 km; • AIM-120D: 180 km

Missile (Option 1)

Name AMRAAM-ER

Note The AMRAAM-Extended Range missile is a new, ground-launched solution that will intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes. The AMRAAM-ER missile gets its boost in range from a bigger rocket motor and optimized flight control algorithms. Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, the AMRAAM-ER missile will be integrated with the NASAMS launcher for increased air defense protection in the medium-range air defense market. NASAMS is owned by 11 countries and has been integrated into the U.S. National Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005.

Radar System

Name AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel

Type 3D Alert and Cur Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) Radar

Manufacturer Before its acquisition by Raytheon, the Hughes Aircraft Co. developed the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar at its Fullerton, California, facility, and manufactures it at its Forest, Mississippi, plant.

Frequency X band

Maximum Range 40 km

Maximum Altitude, while Operating 3,000 m

Maximum Altitude, Non-Operating 12,000 m

Azimuth 360°

Elevation –10° to +55°

ECM Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) and Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) resistant

Fire Control

Fire Distribution Center Fire Control System The FDC is characterized by its intuitive advanced fire control system with hard real-time data handling. The intuitive Man-Machine Interface provides clarity and mitigates information overload. The open and modular SW/HW architecture enables situational awareness across domains, providing merged Offensive and Defensive Precision Fires capabilities in a true Plug & Fight tailorable solution. The FDC has demonstrated C2 and Fire Control Capability for Multi-Domain Fires. A network of FDCs ensures shared awareness in the Area of Operations. The system performs data link management, sensor control, air picture production, track identification and classification, friendly protection, threat ordering, weapon allocation, weapon & engagement control and kill assessment. In addition an embedded or stand-alone Mission Support Tool (MST) is provided to accelerate the commander’s decision making process regarding deployment planning, monitoring current system status, and for in-depth analysis and debriefs.

Protection

Hull Armor INA

Applique Armor INA

Explosive Reactive Armor No

Active Protection System No

Mine Clearing No

NBC Protection INA

Smoke Equipment INA

Image Sources

Notes https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Norwegian_Advanced_Surface_to_Air_Missile_System.jpg; https://root-nation.com/en/articles-en/weapons-en/en-nasams-air-defense/; https://www.defensenews.com/air/2016/05/13/tactical-rocket-motor-business-takes-fight-to-congress/; https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-worlds-newest-vehicle-based-SHORAD-systems;