After development, which lasted about 15 years, the latest cruise anti-ship missile, the English name of which sounds like Naval Strike Missile, and the Norwegian Norsk sjømålmissil, which can be translated as "Norwegian anti-ship missile - NSM", is finally ready to take its place in the country's armament. At the moment, the last tests are being carried out over the missile system in the United States, which are proceeding quite successfully. This missile is self-guided, it is capable of striking various sea targets located at a distance of up to 200 km.
This weapon, first of all, will be equipped with the Norwegian naval frigates, as well as the transport of the coast guard. Also, this missile system can be deployed on helicopters, relatively new multipurpose fighters, cars and various coastal complexes. According to Harald Onnestad, who is the executive director of Kongsberg Defense Systems, which developed this weapon, missiles can be placed on frigates, corvettes, and this will provide reliable protection of the Norwegian coast. This weapon system was created taking into account the country's climate, as well as taking into account the landscape of the coastal zone, and this weapon can also be an excellent option for arming allied countries.
The NSM rocket is made according to the standard aerodynamic design, is equipped with four all-turning rudders located in the rear of the hull, and also has a mid-opening wing. The design of the rocket provides for means to reduce thermal and radar signature. The body has no sharp edges and contrasting slots; moreover, it uses radio-absorbing and composite materials.
Solid rocket motor is used as a starting booster. The rocket is powered by a TRI 40 turbojet engine developed in France by Microturbo. This engine is a small-sized single-shaft engine equipped with a four-stage axial compressor, where the pressure ratio varies from 3.83: 1 to 5.58: 1, in addition, it is equipped with an annular combustion chamber. In addition, it is able to develop a static take-off thrust of about 2.5-3.0 kN, despite the fact that its own weight is only 44kg, its maximum transverse dimension is 280mm and a length of 680mm. It should be noted that the engine operates in a very wide flight range and is capable of maneuvering depending on altitude and speed. The engine is started by autorotation at an altitude of 0 to 5300m at a flight speed of 0.5-0.9M or by a pyrostarter. To carry out the flight program and the necessary regulation, the TRI 40 is equipped with a digital electronic hydromechanical control system and a special built-in generator, which is fixed on the turbine shaft. In addition to JP8 aviation kerosene, the engine is capable of operating on JP10 fuel, which is synthetic and high in calories. The temperature in the combustion chamber is about 1010 ° C, the fuel consumption is less than 120 kg / kN / h. The design features of the TRI 40 include the absence of a separate oil system; the fuel acts as a lubricant for the bearings.
The warhead has a mass of 125 kg, is a high-explosive, penetrating. It is equipped with a time delay fuse, which provides a different detonation option depending on the target format.
Combined control system - in the required section of the trajectory is performed by an inertial control system. Such a control system will provide the necessary actions even outside the visibility of the target, the missile is capable of moving along a pre-programmed, complex trajectory, skillfully bypassing obstacles and terrain, as well as areas with enemy air defense, and hitting the target in the most vulnerable sectors. Correction of the flight trajectory on the cruising section is carried out on the basis of data from the GPS navigation subsystem and the TERCOM terrain correction subsystem. The principle of operation of the TERCOM system is organized by comparing the terrain of a specific area where the rocket is located with reference maps of the terrain along the entire length of its flight route, which are pre-stored in the memory of the control system on board.
NSM is expected to be sold abroad, a fact that will strengthen Norway's position as one of the world's leading arms exporters. At the moment, Poland has already signed a contract for the supply of these missiles, for a total of 100 million euros. The likelihood of acquiring these missiles is already being considered by Australia, Canada and the United States. It is possible that others will join these countries.
