How NASAMS protects the skies with advanced missiles

Air defense is a vital component of any nation’s security and sovereignty. In a world where aerial threats are becoming more diverse and sophisticated, such as stealth aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, it is essential to have a reliable and effective system that can detect, track, and engage them. One such system is the NASAMS, or the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, which uses missiles that were originally designed for air-to-air combat to intercept and destroy aerial targets.

What is NASAMS and how does it work?

NASAMS is a ground-based air defense system that was developed by Raytheon and Kongsberg, a Norwegian company, as a solution for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, which needed a cost-effective and flexible system to protect its air bases and critical assets.

NASAMS consists of three main components: a radar, a launcher, and an effector. The radar is responsible for detecting and identifying the incoming threats, and providing guidance data to the launcher and the effector. The launcher is a vehicle-mounted platform that can carry up to six missiles, ready to be fired at any time. The effector is the missile itself, which is either the AIM-120 AMRAAM or the AIM-9X Sidewinder, both of which are active radar homing missiles that can lock on to and pursue their targets autonomously.

NASAMS operates in a network-centric manner, meaning that it can share information and coordinate with other sensors and systems, such as AWACS, fighter jets, and other air defense systems, to provide a comprehensive and integrated air defense. NASAMS can also be configured to meet different operational requirements and threat environments, by using different types of radars, launchers, and missiles, depending on the mission and the terrain.

Why is NASAMS important and who uses it?

NASAMS is a combat-proven system that has been adopted by 13 countries, including the US, Spain, Finland, Lithuania, Indonesia, and Australia. It has also been integrated into the US National Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005, providing protection for the capital and its surroundings.

NASAMS has proven its effectiveness in various scenarios, such as defending against Russian aggression in Ukraine, where it shot down several drones and aircraft, and providing air security for major events, such as the 2012 NATO summit in Chicago and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

NASAMS is important because it can counter some of the most challenging threats in the modern battlefield, such as low-flying and maneuverable cruise missiles, which can evade conventional radar and missile systems. NASAMS can also engage multiple targets simultaneously, increasing its efficiency and survivability.

How is NASAMS evolving and improving?

NASAMS is constantly being upgraded and improved, with the latest version being NASAMS 3, which was deployed in 2019. NASAMS 3 can fire the AIM-120D-3 and the AIM-9X Block II missiles, which have longer range, higher speed, and greater maneuverability than the previous versions. NASAMS 3 also uses a new radar and a new command and control system, which enhance its performance and interoperability.

NASAMS also conducted a successful demonstration in 2020, where it used its new radar and command and control system to detect and engage multiple cruise missiles simultaneously, demonstrating its capability to counter one of the most challenging threats in the modern battlefield.

NASAMS is a system that is constantly evolving and adapting to the changing needs and threats of its users, ensuring that it remains a reliable and effective air defense system for the future.