Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to get NASAMS radars upgraded by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Norway has for several years deployed the air defence system NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), which consists of launch units with missiles, command and control stations, radars and electro-optical sensors. Now the radars, called "AN/MPQ-64", are to be upgraded by replacing certain parts. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) to upgrade them.
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The contract for upgrading new NASAMS radars is entered into with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and has a value of NOK 365 million. The first radar is being upgraded by the manufacturer Raytheon Missile and Defense, who will also supply the upgrade modules (Picture source )

"The purpose of the upgrade is to ensure that the NASAMS air defence system maintains its ability to detect, identify and combat air threats. The upgrade will give the NASAMS radars the same configuration and status as our partners and with the same functionality of new radars. This upgrade contributes to a further modernization of Norway's air defence," says Brigadier General Jarle Nergård, Head of the Air Systems Division at FMA.

"The planned upgrades continue the development of NASAMS and take advantage of advances developed in collaboration with other NASAMS user nations. The large and increasing number of NASAMS users contributes to the continuous development of the system," says Kjetil Myhra, Executive Vice President of Integrated Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The contract for upgrading new NASAMS radars is entered into with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and has a value of NOK 365 million. The first radar is being upgraded by the manufacturer Raytheon Missile and Defense, who will also supply the upgrade modules. Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services will be responsible for the remaining upgrades of the radars. The project will be completed by the end of 2025.

Developed by Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, NASAMS combines advanced radar technology, command and control systems, and surface-to-air missiles to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of airborne threats. Its primary objective is to detect and engage aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles.

At the heart of the combat-proven NASAMS is the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar system, which is a highly mobile, 3D, phased-array radar. This state-of-the-art radar offers superior situational awareness and target-tracking capabilities. It can detect, track, and identify targets at extended ranges, providing real-time data for effective engagement.

The missile system of NASAMS relies on the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), renowned for its exceptional capabilities. The AIM-120 offers outstanding range, speed, and accuracy, ensuring successful interceptions at various altitudes and distances.

To facilitate effective coordination and decision-making, NASAMS integrates advanced command and control systems. The system utilizes the battle management system (BMS) for centralized control, target assignment, and engagement coordination. This integration enables seamless cooperation with other air defense assets and external sensors, enhancing overall interoperability.

NASAMS is designed for high mobility, allowing for rapid deployment and repositioning as per operational requirements. The system can be mounted on various platforms, such as trucks, trailers, and containers, offering flexibility in deployment scenarios and mission profiles.

NASAMS can engage targets at distances exceeding 25 miles (40 kilometers) and altitudes of up to 100,000 feet (30,000 meters). Its high degree of accuracy ensures a high probability of successfully hitting challenging targets, even in complex operational environments. It is in use in 13 countries, including Norway, US and Ukraine.

Defense News June 2023