NASAMS - Medium-range air defense system. The main purpose is to destroy enemy air targets at medium and low altitudes in any meteorological conditions. Developed by the Norwegian company Norwegian Kongsberg and the American Raytheon. It was created to replace the Hawk air defense system, which is in service with the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Design starts in 1989. The development of the project was completed by 1993, in which they began the field testing of the new SD air defense system. In 1994, NASAMS entered service with the Norwegian Air Force. In order to reduce the cost, during the creation of "NASAMS" there was a deep modernization of the complex and systems in service. We used the unification of anti-aircraft missiles - we used AMRAAM missiles belonging to the air-to-air class (AIM-120A), developed by the American company Hughes Aircraft. Subsequently, Raytheon joined the production of missiles. And in 1997, Hughes Aircraft joined the Raytheon lineup.
The modernized three-coordinate radar station "AN / TPQ-36A" is engaged in detecting enemy air targets, the modernized fire control system "NOAH" is engaged in fire control of the complex. This radar and LMS equipment was used on the Hawk SD air defense missile system, which has been serially produced since 1959.
NASAMS, developed as a replacement for the Improved Hawk air defense system, was intended to counter maneuvering aerodynamic targets at medium altitudes. Tests have shown the high efficiency of the new complex and the ability to counter cruise missiles. NASAMS becomes a medium-range air defense system. The combat capabilities of the Norwegian system surpassed those of its predecessor, the Improved Hawk. The capabilities for tracking and hitting targets have been increased, the response time of the system and the time for preparing the system for use have been reduced, due to the use of new technologies, compactness and mobility, the number of personnel of the combat crew has been reduced. Due to its high unification, it has the ability to interface with other equipment and systems.
The main unit is a platoon. One platoon "NASAMS" - 3 launchers carrying 18 AMRAAM missiles, one three-coordinate radar station "AN / TPQ-64", one SCP. Combat (tactical) unit - battery. One battery - 3 platoons - 9 launchers carrying 54 missiles, three radars that have the technical ability to combine into a single information network, where one radar can work like all three radars, and three SCPs. On one of the PUO, the battery control panel is located. He receives the control center from the higher headquarters and is transferred to the rest of the SCP. The battery volley time with all ammunition is no more than 12 seconds.
SAM AMRAAM
The AMRAAM guided missile has a normal aerodynamic configuration with cruciform rudders and a wing. SAM "AIM-120A" has a combined guidance system. In the initial phase of the flight - command-inertial control, in the final phase of the flight - active radar homing.
When maneuvering a target in the PUO, commands are sent to the missile to correct the flight according to the changing coordinates of the target. In the absence of maneuvers at the target, the missile defense system goes offline using an inertial unit. The antenna for receiving commands from the control system to the missile defense system is made in the nozzle block. From the antenna, the signal is transmitted to the command line communication receiver. The homing radar captures the target at a distance of up to 20 kilometers. After being captured, the missile switches to active homing mode. At that time, a powerful computer (clock frequency 30 MHz) was installed on board the rocket.
Warhead - high-explosive fragmentation directional action. Fuse or contact, or active radar.
Launcher
The launcher is made on the chassis of the Scania P113 off-road vehicle. The missiles are in TPK all the time. They are housed in a package of 6 TPKs. To load missiles into the TPK, the complex includes a special loading vehicle. For the production of a salvo, TPKs are raised to a fixed vertical angle of 30 degrees. When driving, the vertical angle of the TPK is 0.
Radar "AN / TPQ-64"
AN / TPQ-64 is a multifunctional radar. Created on the basis of the AN / TPQ-36A radar. Opportunities - search, detection and identification of up to 60 air objects and guidance to specific targets up to 3 missiles. Pulse-Doppler radar with phased antenna and built-in unit "Mk. XII" for determining the membership. The work of the radar is a circular rotation of the antenna with electronic scanning. The work is controlled by a powerful computing unit PUO. The radar creates a needle-like radiation pattern with a minimum level of side lobes, can compress pulses, select targets and select the required signal and its power.
Radar characteristics:
- range - 8-10 GHz;
- detection range up to 75 kilometers;
- aircraft detection range (fighter) up to 60 kilometers.
- azimuth - 360 degrees;
- elevation angle - 60 degrees;
- view speed - 180 deg / s;
- accuracy range / azimuth / elevation - 30m / 0.2gr / 0.17gr;
- resolution range / azimuth / elevation - 150m / 2gr / 1.7gr;
- translation combat / marching up to 10 minutes;
- execution - towed trailer.
- additional equipment - NTAS type optoelectronic guidance system.
- fire control point
From the radar, data (every 2 seconds) is fed to the SCP. It consists of:
- 2 powerful computing units;
- multi-purpose remote control;
- indication systems;
- control systems;
- data transmission equipment;
- communication equipment.
The multipurpose console consists of two duplicated workstations. Each seat is provided with 3 monitors, two of them show the air combat situation, the third shows the state of readiness of the entire complex.
NASAMS survivability
To ensure the survivability of the entire complex, the launchers can be dispersed from the PUO or radar at a distance of up to 25 kilometers. Communication between the elements of the complex can be maintained both via wired and wireless communication lines. To ensure communication, switching systems from Thales Communication, built on the TAS 300 switch, are used.
NASAMS and its modifications
For 2000, the cost of one NASAMS platoon was estimated at $ 14 million. SAM SD is used for air defense of air bases in Norway.
NASAMS II - modification (modernization) of the basic version of the SAM SD. Introduced into service in 2007. The composition of 1 battery - 12 launchers with 72 missiles, 8 radars, 1 SCP and 1 tactical control vehicle. The launchers are installed on the new Bv 206 chassis. The complex receives improved software compatible with the communication systems used.
HUMRAAM is the American counterpart for the United States Army. Project 559. To improve combat effectiveness and increase mobility, the TPK with missiles was installed on a lightweight chassis with increased cross-country ability. The first tests took place in 1997.
SLAMRAAM - American version for the needs of the Marine Corps. Developed by Raytheon. Development began in the 1990s - the CLAWS program. In 2001, MP concludes a contract for the full development of the complex. In 2000, the SAM SD SLAMRAAM was developed, modified, closed, etc. MP canceled the order, but development continued for the US Department of Defense. The complex receives an updated AIM-120C7 missile. The project is closed in 2011, with the possibility of additional financing for the development in 2012-2013. The complexes will be taken into service for emergency measures in a certain amount. The first deliveries were expected to take place in 2012. The launchers are made on the chassis of the "HMMWV" machines, the "Sentinel" radar is used.
SLAMRAAM EX is the latest development of the complex by Raytheon. Of the features - an increased range of destruction and the use of two types of missiles for short-range and medium-range, respectively.
Main characteristics:
- range from 2.5 to 40 kilometers;
- target height from 30 meters to 16 kilometers;
- response time - 10 seconds;
- time of unfolding / folding - 15/3 min;
- target speed up to 1000 m / s;
- SAM weight - 150.7 kilograms;
- warhead weight - 22 kilograms;
- SAM length - 3.6 meters;
- diameter - 17.8 centimeters;
- SAM speed up to 1020 m / s;
- overload up to 40 g;
- operating time - 300 hours.
