NASAMS

NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a distributed and networked medium to long range air-defence system. NASAMS was the first surface-based application for the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile). The missile itself is named SL-AMRAAM (Surfaced Launched AMRAAM).

Development
The Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace teamed up with Raytheon and initiated the NASAMS programme as a cooperative effort for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The state-of-the-art network-centric air defence system NASAMS was declared fully operational capable in 1998 but had an initial operational capability as early as in 1994/95.

Until the late 1990s the RNoAF ground based air defence solution, also known as the Norwegian Solution (NORSOL), consisted of three different weapon systems; the 40mm Bofors L70 gun (controlled by the Oerlikon Contraves FCS2000 monopulse doppler tracking radar), the laser beam riding RBS 70 MANPADS system and the NASAMS. All three systems were integrated through the ARCS via field wires and radio. The ARCS maintained connection to higher echelons and ensured protection of friendly aircraft while preventing over- and underkill for all subordinate weapon systems. NASAMS capabilities are enhanced by the system's networked and distributed nature.



The RNoAF together with KDA is currently running a mid-life update of the NASAMS, called NASAMS II, and the upgraded version was first handed over to RNoAF in mid-2006. The major difference the two versions will be the use of Link 16 on NASAMS II as well as a better ground radar. Full operational capability (FOC) was expected for 2007.

Users
NASAMS has been exported to Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands. The government of Chile has also ordered NASAMS. Several NASAMS were used to guard air space over Washington, D.C. during the 2005 United States presidential inauguration, and are used to protect air space around the White House.

Description


The system integrates US-built AN/TPQ-36A LASR (Low Altitude Surveillance RADAR) 3D radars and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles with an indigenously developed BMC4I system called FDC, short for Fire Distribution Center. The FDC connected to a TPQ-36A radar forms an "Acquisition Radar and Control System" (ARCS). The missile has a range of up to 25 km. Other sources cite a range of 'over 15 km'. Note that ranges for AAMs are estimated for head-on encounters for fast moving aircraft at an altitude, and the ranges are significantly smaller when the same missiles are launched from stationary ground platforms.