Bulletin of “Carol I” National Defense University

MODERN SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEMS – NATIONAL/NORWEGIAN ADVANCED SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM (NASAMS)

Maj. instr. sup. Gelu ȚANU* MG (ret.) Prof. Florian RĂPAN, PhD**

The „air-counterair confrontation” is a defining component of the contemporary war reality. This antagonism determined the continuous transformation of the air-space environment and fueled the constant progress of its main actors: the offensive air platforms, respectively antiaircraft fighting systems. To keep the pace with the rhythm imposed by the air combat means, the surface-to-air missile systems constantly find new solutions to cope with the modern challenges of the constantly evolving battle space. NASAMS offers such a solution which proves to be a successful one and enjoys an increasing popularity, despite the serious competition from this sector.

Keywords: NASAMS; surface-to-air missile system; air threats; air environment.

The constant presence and increasing role Just due to the role played by this category of played by the Air Power in all modern military systems in the current air fight and the continuous conflicts, regardless their nature or origin, entirely improvement and diversification of the air threats, prove the necessity to develop this vital component there is a constant interest in updating and of the Military Power. developing the surface-to-air missile systems. The concept of Air Power is the cumulative In this context, NASAMS offers a suitable result of factors and elements which collaborate solution to counter a broad category of air threats, and condition its relevance in the broader context mainly the ones operating inside the atmospheric of the state power equation1. envelope2. Consolidating Air Force, as a central element What sets NASAMS apart from the other of the Air Power, requires a consistent and coherent modern surface-to-air missile systems is the fact effort which, among others, involves the permanent that it uses as main interceptor the air-to-air missile update and modernization of its weapon and support AIM-120 AMRAAM3, with all the advantages and systems. disadvantages resulting from such an option. In the Air Force, maybe more than in the NASAMS is a medium range surface-to- other categories of armed forces, the level of air missile system produced by the Norwegian technological actuality of the weapon systems company Krongsberg Defense and Aerospace, in radically conditions its potential and relevance in cooperation with the American one, Raytheon, the the contemporary battlespace. last one producing both the and the missile The ground-based air defense systems used by this system. represent a vital component of the force structure NASAMS is also remarkable due to a modern and decisively contribute to the effort of obtaining and very flexible C24 solution, which facilitates the a certain degree of control of the airspace above integration and cooperation with a diverse range the area of operations, as well as of defending the of weapon systems, from antiaircraft guns and national sovereignty in the air space. missiles (L-70, RBS-70, HAWK, PATRIOT), to directed-energy weapons (DEW)5. Like the other similar surface-to-air missile *“Carol I” National Defense University systems, NASAMS has been designed to defend e-mail: [email protected] the objectives of vital importance or urban areas **“Carol I” National Defense University against the entire spectrum of air breathing threats: e-mail: [email protected] combat air platforms, helicopters, cruise missiles and UAVs6.

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The system reached its operational capability considerable investments into the development and in 1994 and was deployed for the first time by testing of this system, the program was eventually RNoAF7. In this environment NASAMS was cancelled, in 2011, due to a combination of factors continuously developed and perfected and, in 2003, among which the budgetary cuts and the decreased 4 other systems were purchased and deployed by interest prevailed15. the Spanish Army8. The main components of a NASAMS fire unit, Of particular importance for the development at battery level, are the following: the command of this system was the implementation of NASAMS post (FDC16), the 3D radar AN/MPQ64F1 Sentinel, II, a consistent update of the initial system, which the electro-optical and infrared sensor system and increased its attractiveness and facilitated new and the transport and launch installations, capable important contracts. Significant parts of this update of transporting, aiming and launching up to 6 were the implementation of Link 16 connectivity AMRAAM missiles, placed in containers. One of and the improved capabilities provided by the the most appreciated features of NASAM system is radar station, with its perfected variant, AN/MPQ- its modular construction, which confers flexibility 64F1 Improved Sentinel. Following this update, to the fire unit, by allowing the addition of new in December 2006, Army signed a elements, , sensors, launchers, missiles etc. contract for a NASAMS II system which was Currently, a complete NASAMS II battery going to use the tri-dimensional surveillance radar consists of a tactical control cell (TCC), a fire EADS TRML-3D. One year later, in 2007, the first distribution/control centre, up to 8 radars (AN/ NASAMS II system was delivered to RNoAF9. MPQ-64 F1 Improved Sentinel), a multi-sensor The system’s capabilities were proved platform (MPS 500), up to 12 launchers and repeatedly through tests and exercises, like the 72 missiles, offering a considerable fire power live fire exercise conducted by the Spanish Army capability for this level17. in November 200810. Of equal importance for the The fire distribution centre is the central element system’s development were the firing exercises of a NASAMS battery and represents an air defense conducted by RNoAF in 2011 and 2012, which battle management centre (AD BMC4I18), which proved NASAMS’s ability to launch different proved its qualities and has already been deployed types of missiles produced by Raytheon, like AIM- to several location and different configurations. 9X Sidewinder or Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile FDC is based on a modern fire control system (ESSM)11. which allows a superior handling of data, increased The performance displayed by NASAMS interoperability and an intuitive and easy to operate during these exercises facilitated the signature of man-machine interface, facilitating the real time new important contracts, among which it is worth command of the air defense battle. mentioning the one with Ministry of The subsystems integrated into the fire Defense, in 2009, with RNoAF, in 2011 and 2013, distribution center ensure the implementation of as well as the one with Oman Ministry of Defense, essential features which complement the functiona- in 201412. lity of the missile system, as a whole, such as: The success enjoyed by the missile system is • data link management; demonstrated by the signature, in 2015, of a new • sensor control; agreement between Raytheon and Krongsberg, • air image production; which extends their partnership in developing • track identification and classification; NASAMS for another additional ten years, until • protection of own forces and means; 202513. • threat assessment; A similar missile system was developed, • weapon allocation and engagement control; up to a point, in the United States of America • mission result assessment. by Raytheon, to answer the need created by the Attached to the FDC, a mission support HAWK decommission and the increasing focus of instrument (MST19) helps and accelerates PATRIOT toward ballistic defense. The system is the decision-making process concerning the named SLAMRAAM14 and has, in general terms, deployment planning, system status monitoring and the same contents as NASAMS. Despite the the production of detailed reports and analysis.

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Integrating the tactical data links inside FDC which have several advantages compared to the involves both handling the relevant messages and previous versions. Thus, the emitter uses a single implementing the C4I20 functions to support the main oscillator to generate frequency, which achievement of the needed interoperability level in produces lower clutter and allows a better detection order to maximize the coordination between FDC on clutter background. The single channel receiver, and the other actors of the battlespace. also in X band, is designed to pair up with the new The open and modular SW/HW21 allows emitter. The antenna system was also updated by the the integration of offensive and defensive fire introduction of a new controller and a new digital capabilities, through the combination of air interface for the interconnection with the data defense systems, field artillery means, offensive processor, giving the operator a superior control of missiles and dedicated assets for CAS22 missions, the direction and rotating speed of the antenna. into an efficient „plug & fight” solution. The In order to avoid the fratricide, the radar station FDC implements extended connections with the benefits from an integrated modern IFF system. higher echelons, adjacent units, fighting systems, The MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel Radar sensors and interceptors, despite the variety of can be put into a battle position in less than 15 communication and data protocols in use, building minutes and can be switched to the transport mode a single system, with a high level of integration. in less than 10 minutes, while achieving the full At the same time, FDC provides the users with operational status does not take longer than a few several tools in support of the decision-making minutes. A team of 2 soldiers is enough to operate process, starting with the dissemination of a single the radar, without any need of additional personnel integrated air picture, the common operational for the handling or maintenance. picture, the threat evaluation and weapon The radar provides targeting data for the FDC allocation. Additionally, each system connected to ensuring accurate information before the launch the FDC can contribute, using its own means, to and continuous updates during the mid-flight of the consolidation of the information base needed to the AMRAAM missile. The performance offered conduct military operations. by the radar station is facilitated by its inherent The FDC is placed on the chassis of a Mercedes- features like the X band operating frequency, the Benz G-Class (4×4) light truck propelled by a diesel tri-dimensional pencil beam, the Doppler impulse engine of 2,8 l, generating 120 hp and allowing a and the phase and frequency scanning. The antenna road speed limit of 138 km/h and a cruising range is designed to rotate with 20-30 rpm and allows the of 800 km. Additionally, the special design of the tracking of targets approaching from any direction suspension and transmission systems provides a and up to a distance of over 120 km26. very good cross-country capability23. The radar station is mounted and propelled Another important element of NASAMS missile by the same vehicle like the FDC, a Mercedes- system is AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel, a tri- Benz G-Class light tactical vehicle, offering the dimensional surveillance radar, of high resolution, same features and providing a good cross-country designed to discover, track, identify, classify and mobility for this essential component of the missile report all the air threats within its range. system. The radar benefitted from a continuous update The recognition of the performance and features and improvement program, one of the main offered by this radar is also demonstrated by its development directions aiming at the extension popularity on the international stage, currently, of its surveillance range. Another priority was more the 200 radars being ordered, out of which to increase the ability to process signals, by more than 100 have been delivered or are still under integrating several computers as well as the latest production. COTS24 technologies. This allowed a superior A/ Another important element and, to some D25 processing capacity, a faster data control and extent, specific for this missile system, is the sensor created additional space for future development of system MPS 500, used for the visual identification the radar. and evaluation of the air threats. The update process continued with the The multi-sensor platform MPS 500 is a highly development of new X band emitters and receivers, stabilized sensor system used during night and day

March, 2019 21 Bulletin of “Carol I” National Defense University for the detection, observation and identification of Mobility Launcher (HML), developed by Raytheon, flying objects as well as for the target tracking and consisting of 4 AMRAAM missiles mounted on a engagement control. It consists of a sensor package HUMVEE tactical vehicle. Integrating this new encompassing a thermal camera, a video camera, launching stations into the deployed NASAMS, a 6 Hz range detector, a video tracker, a vertical contributes to the improved mobility of the missile sensor and a North sensor. system, as a whole29. The system is actively stabilized, equipped AMRAAM (AIM-120) is a well-known air- with a GPS unit and a North detection unit, and to-air missile used by a broad range of modern can be remotely operated from FDC. MPS 500 is combat planes, both American (F-15, F-16, F/A- equipped with its own power generator, and during 18, F-22, F-4F) and European (Sea Harrier, Harrier transport the sensor platform can be lowered inside II Plus, Eurofighter, JAS-39 Gripen, JA-37 Viggen a special container, for safety reasons. and Tornado). The missile used by NASAMS is The sensor system is used for the AIM-120C7, an improved version of AIM-120C, accomplishment of the following tasks: integrating several updates. Compared to its • passive mode target engagement; predecessors AIM-120A and B, AMRAAM has • passive mode surveillance; smaller control surfaces but a longer range and • threat evaluation and fire results increased agility to fight against manoeuvring assessment; combat aircrafts. Additionally, AIM-120C7 brings • higher echelon tracks evaluation; an entire range of updates by improving the antenna, • target and engagement data acquisition; the receiver and signal processor, but also by • jam emitter assessment. integrating new software algorithms to fight against Similar to the other elements of NASAMS, the new air threats. Also, the miniaturization of the MPS 500 is using the same type of light tactical missile’s internal components created additional vehicle which gives it comparable movement space for the future development and improvement 27 possibilities . of the missile30. Additionally, the compact and light design The missile allows target interception as far as ensures a high manoeuvrability, flexibility and 33 km and up to a maximum height of 15 km31. ease of deployment, allowing the quick integration In order to improve the capabilities offered of MPS 500 into existing missile systems. by NASAMS, Raytheon developed a new missile The launching stations of NASAMS are used AMRAAM-ER, which promises an extension of to transport, aim and launch the missiles placed the operational range with up to 50% and of the inside sealed containers. As mentioned before, the operational height with up to 70%. Actually, this launchers are able to use several types of missiles, missile is a combination between AMRAAM and in different combinations, even from the same launching station. ESSM missiles, both developed by Raytheon, by In firing position, the launchers are lowered to taking the frontal part of the first and the propellant the ground level, fixed and automatically levelled of the last. st using a system of hydraulic jacks and are able to In the flight test of August 31 , 2016, in launch all the 6 missiles they carry in only a few , the missile proved a perfect compatibility seconds. with the NASAMS which launched it, opening the The launchers are connected to the FDC through way to a new stage of development for this missile a secured wired or radio connection and can be system32. deployed as far as 25 km from the command post. All the elements presented above entirely prove Depending on the beneficiary, the launch the fact that NASAMS is a medium range surface- platforms may be powered by different types of to-air missile system in continuous development vehicles. Thus, the Norwegian systems are towed and improvement. by Scania 6x6 trucks, the Finnish ones by Sisu Currently the system is used by 6 nations and trucks, while the Spanish ones by Iveco trucks28. enjoys an increasing international appreciation, a After a contract signed in 2011, the Norwegian fact proved by the recent interest expressed by states Army became the first beneficiary of a High like , , and Lithuania33.

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NASAMS offers one of the most modern and 21 SW/HW – SoftWare/HardWare. flexible air defense solution, capable to answer a 22 CAS – Close Air Support. broad variety of operational requests. 23 https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/fdc_fire_ Among the most valued features of this missile distribution _center_vehicle_nasams_technical_data_sheet_ system we can easily identify: the open architecture specifications_pictures_video_12712157.html, accessed at which guarantees a considerable growth potential, 23.01.2019. superior mobility due to the reduced dimensions, 24 COTS ‒ Commercial Off-The-Shelf. high fire and engagement capacity, increased 25 A/D – Analog-to-Digital. 26 https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ stability to electronic counter-countermeasures and norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/mpq- many others 64f1_3d_radar_vehicle_nasams_technical_data_sheet_ To conclude, the medium range surface-to-air specifications_pictures_video_12712155.html, accessed at missile system NASAMS provides a competitive 27.01.2019. and adaptive air defense solution due to its capacity 27 https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/electro_ to quickly identify, engage and destroy a large array optical_eo _sensor_vehicle_nasams_technical_data_sheet_ of present and future air threats. specifications_pictures_video_12712154.html, accessed at 30.01.2019. NOTES: 28 https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ 1 Ion Puricel, Puterea aeriană în mișcare, ”Carol I” norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/nasams_ National Defense University Publishing House, Bucharest, norwegian _advanced_surface_to_air_missile_system.html, 2016, p. 15. accessed at 31.01.2019. 2 Air breathing threats. 29 https://www.kongsberg.com/en/kog/news/2013/ 3 AMRAAM ‒ Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air june/ny-kapasitet-i-nasams-luftvernsystem/, accessed at Missile. 01.02.2019. 4 C2 – Comandă-Control. 30 https://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/ 5 https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ amraam, accessed at 01.02.2019. norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/nasams_ 31 https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ norwegian _advanced_surface_to_air_missile_system.html, europe/nasams.htm, accessed at 01.02.2019. accessed at 15.01.2019. 32 https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ 6 UAV – Unmanned Air vehicles. ausa/2016/10/04/raytheons-extended-range-amraam-missile- 7 RNoAF ‒ Royal Norwegian Air Force. destroys-target-in-first-flight-test/, accessed at 01.02.2019. 8 http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/ 33 https://www.kongsberg.com/~/media/KDS/Files/ release/3/99591/spanish-army-conducts-nasams-live_fire- Products/Air%20Defense%20Systems/Brochures/ exercise.html, accessed at 15.01.2019. NASAMS_Air%20Defence%20System.ashx?la=en, 9 https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ accessed at 05.02.2019. national-advanced-surface-to-air-missile-system-nasams/, accessed at 15.01.2019. BIBLIOGRAPHY 10 Ibidem. 11 Ibidem. 12 https://www.raytheon.com/sites/default/files/ Puricel Ion, Puterea aeriană în mișcare, capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/content/ ”Carol I” National Defense University Publishing nasams_pdf.pdf, accessed at 18.01.2019. House, Bucharest, 2016. 13 http://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/air-defense/u- https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ s-air-defense/u-s-deployed-air-defense-systems/national- norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/ advanced-surface-to-air-missile-system-nasams/, accessed at 19.01.2019. nasams_norwegian _advanced_surface_to_air_ 14 SLAMRAAM – Surface Launched AMRAAM. missile_system.html 15 https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/ http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles- htada/20110111.aspx, accessed at 20.01.2019. view/release/3/99591/spanish-army-conducts- 16 FDC – Fire Distribution Center. nasams-live_fire-exercise.html 17 https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ europe/nasams.htm, accessed at 21.01.2019. https://www.airforce-technology.com/ 18 AD BMC4I ‒ Air Defence Battle Management projects/national-advanced-surface-to-air-missile- Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and system-nasams/ Intelligence. https://www.raytheon.com/sites/default/files/ 19 MST – Mission Support Tool. capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/ 20 C4I ‒ Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence. content/ nasams_pdf.pdf

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https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/ electro_optical_eo _sensor_vehicle_nasams_ htada/20110111.aspx technical_data_sheet_ specifications_pictures_ https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ video_12712154.html world/europe/nasams.htm https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ http://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/air- norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/ defense/u-s-air-defense/u-s-deployed-air-defense- nasams_norwegian _advanced_surface_to_air_ systems/national-advanced-surface-to-air-missile- missile_system.html system-nasams/ https://www.kongsberg.com/en/kog/ https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ news/2013/june/ny-kapasitet-i-nasams- norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/ luftvernsystem/ fdc_fire_distribution _center_vehicle_nasams_ https://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/ technical_data_sheet_ specifications_pictures_ products/amraam video_12712157.html https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show- https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ dailies/ausa/2016/10/04/ raytheons-extended- norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/ range-amraam-missile-destroys-target-in-first- mpq-64f1_3d_radar_vehicle_nasams_ flight-test/ technical_data_sheet_ specifications_pictures_ https://www.kongsberg.com/~/media/KDS/ video_12712155.html Files/Products/Air%20Defense https://www.armyrecognition.com/norway_ %20Systems/Brochures/ NASAMS_Air%20 norwegian_army_missile_systems_vehicles_uk/ Defence%20System.ashx?la=en

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