First successful live-fire test for AMRAAM-ER Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile Extended Range


According to information published on May 12, 2021, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, and KONGSBERG, a Norway-based defense technology company, successfully completed the first live-fire test of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) variant for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
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An AMRAAM-ER missile is fired from a NASAMS launcher during a test exercise at the Andoya Space Defense Center in Norway. (Picture source Raytheon)


The test, conducted at Andoya Space Defense Center, provided critical flight data that will be used to improve the missile’s future software algorithms. The test team also used a new NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) launcher that can accommodate AMRAAM®-ER’s (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile Extended Range) larger size.

AMRAAM-ER will deliver a new land-based missile defense capability to warfighters through its enhanced speed, range, altitude, and maneuverability. Raytheon and Kongsberg are now one step closer to certification, production and final integration of the weapon into NASAMS.

AMRAAM-ER is designed specifically for ground-based air defense. The missile, which is powered by a Nammo-manufactured rocket motor, enables intercepts at longer ranges and higher altitudes when compared to other effectors. Once integrated with NASAMS, the system will provide increased air defense protection in the medium-range air defense market. NASAMS is owned by 12 countries and has been integrated into the U.S. National Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005.

The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, best known as NASAMS, is a highly adaptable mid-range air defense solution. The whole system consists of the Sentinel radar, Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, and KONGSBERG's Fire Distribution Center. It is a modern air defense missile system able to identify, engage and destroy current and evolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles,s and emerging cruise missile threats. The missile is able to hit targets at a range of up to 40 km and at an altitude of up to 14 km.

The AMRAAM-Extended Range missile is a new, ground-launched solution that will intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes. The AMRAAM-ER missile gets its boost in range from a bigger rocket motor and optimized flight control algorithms. Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, the AMRAAM-ER missile will be integrated with the NASAMS launcher for increased air defense protection in the medium-range air defense market.