US Navy Selects Kongsberg for Multi-Year Naval Strike Missile Program.

According to information published by the US DoD on November 13, 2024, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG), headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, has secured a historic multi-year contract with the U.S. Navy to deliver Naval Strike Missile (NSM) systems, a critical component of the Navy's Over-the-Horizon Weapons System (OTH-WS). The firm-fixed-price contract, valued at $960,776,576, includes options that could elevate the contract's cumulative value to $1.14 billion.
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The Naval Strike Missile at Euronaval 2024, in Paris, France. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The NSM contract represents the largest missile production agreement in KONGSBERG’s history, marking a significant milestone for the company and underscoring Norway's strategic role in supporting U.S. defense capabilities. The contract encompasses extensive international collaboration with production sites across Norway (56%), France (13%), the Netherlands (8%), Germany (7%), and several other nations.

The NSM is designed for the Navy's Littoral Combat Ships and future CONSTELLATION-class frigates, delivering an advanced strike capability essential for the Navy’s OTH-WS program. For the U.S. Marine Corps, NSM is a key component in the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS).

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace stands out among anti-ship and land-attack missiles for its stealth capabilities, sea-skimming flight profile, and advanced imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, providing precise target identification and increased survivability against modern defenses. With an operational range exceeding 185 kilometers and a 125 kg high-explosive warhead, the NSM is well-suited for both ship-based and land-based launch platforms.

In comparison, Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is designed with a stealthy profile and an advanced sensor suite, enabling autonomous targeting over long distances of over 370 kilometers. It carries a significantly heavier warhead at 450 kg, with robust GPS-aided guidance that allows it to accurately strike within high-threat environments.

The RBS-15 by Saab is another comparable missile known for its adaptability. It has a range exceeding 200 kilometers and relies on an active radar seeker combined with GPS guidance, making it suitable for varied engagement scenarios. Similarly, the Exocet MM40 Block 3, produced by MBDA, provides anti-ship and land-attack capabilities with its 160 kg warhead and radar-seeking terminal guidance, reaching targets at approximately 200 kilometers.

Boeing’s Harpoon Block II+ is a versatile, all-weather missile with a maximum range of around 124 kilometers. Equipped with a 221 kg warhead and GPS-enhanced inertial navigation, it is a solid choice for over-the-horizon targeting and flexible launch options. Meanwhile, the Chinese YJ-83, a widely exported missile, also follows a sea-skimming profile and has a range of about 180 kilometers, using radar homing for terminal guidance to maintain accuracy.

While all these missiles serve similar roles in anti-ship warfare, they each bring unique features to the table. The NSM excels in stealth and IIR targeting for precise engagements, whereas the LRASM offers long-range, high-survivability autonomous targeting. The RBS-15 and Exocet offer solid range and adaptability, the Harpoon emphasizes versatility and all-weather performance, and the YJ-83 remains a cost-effective solution with reliable radar-guided capabilities.