The Raytheon and Kongsberg conducted a first-of-its kind Air Base Air Defense experiment.

The Air Force Research Laboratory Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) office participated in the experiment.

During these tests, the military tested and improved the air defense reliability of the military air base.

During the demonstration, the NASAMS system fired AIM-9X, AMRAAM®, and AMRAAM-Extended Range missiles, engaging cruise missile targets at various distances.

“Our goal is to provide customers the quickest, most effective way to protect their people and critical infrastructure with layered cruise missile defense,” said Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

This complex experiment assessed NASAMS’ operational ability to fire the three missile variants when integrated with U.S. Army radars.

After assessing the situation, the operator selects and fires the most effective missile from the NASAMS multi-missile canister launcher.

“Our intent was to inform strategic investment decisions through the evaluation of low-cost, high technology readiness level capabilities that could provide near term air base air defense capability,” said Jim Simonds, SDPE experiment program manager, U.S. Air Force.

The experiment demonstrates NASAMS’ flexibility, providing the operator with enhanced firing alternatives to successfully execute complex threat scenarios employing a range of missiles.

The NASAMS systems are produced by a consortium including the American corporation Raytheon Technologies and the Norwegian group Kongsberg. The system includes launchers and radar stations.

NASAMS became the first ground-based system to use AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

Within 12 seconds, all 54 missiles of one NASAMS battery can be fired, and that is why it is used to protect various objects: air bases, seaports, settlements, military forces. The NASAMS system is effective against attacks by enemy UAVs, helicopters, cruise missiles, and airplanes. The advantage of the NASAMS system is its high mobility: it can quickly turn around, fire and leave its position.