RTX business Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, with support from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and armed forces, have successfully flight tested an updated Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile – Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) missile variant from a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Raytheon announced on 27 February 2024.
A Raytheon spokesperson confirmed to ESD on 7 March that the test took place in November 2023 in Andoya, Norway.
During the test firing the missile flew a preprogramed flight path to verify safe egress from the NASAMS launcher and missile performance.
This latest AMRAAM-ER variant is a first-of-its-kind configuration incorporating the guidance section of the AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM. It also incorporates a more robust 10-inch (25.4 cm) rocket motor from Nammo and 10-inch control actuator system from Kongsberg branded the Norwegian Propulsion Stack, for which the Norwegian MoD has been a collaborative partner.
“Integrating this new technology into the AMRAAM-ER ensures the advanced capabilities of the surface-launched munition for many years to come,” Paul Ferraro, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, was quoted as saying in an RTX press release. “Agile software upgrades will continue to advance AMRAAM to stay ahead of evolving threats.”
The AMRAAM-ER is designed to be integrated with the NASAMS launcher for increased air defence protection, intercepting targets at greater ranges and altitudes compared to a non-extended-range AMRAAM.
NASAMS, a highly adaptable medium-range air defence solution, is jointly developed and produced by Raytheon and Kongsberg.
