NASAMS fires AIM-9X Sidewinder in test
Testing carried out by Raytheon and the Royal Norwegian Air Force has confirmed the ability for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to engage and destroy targets using the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missile.
Carried out at the Andoya Test Center in Norway, the test opens the door for NASAMS customers to add a short-range layer to their ground-based air defence capabilities.
A NASAMS fire unit comprises a Kongsbeg Fire Distribution Center, missile launchers, and Raytheon Sentinel radar and interceptors. Raytheon's AMRAAM missile is the baseline short- to medium-range interceptor for NASAMS.
The AIM-9X Sidewinder can be used for air-to-air engagements, surface-attack and surface-launch missions without modifications.
Kjetil Myhra, executive vice president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, said: ‘The NASAMS path of evolution continues by demonstrating yet another capability from the Raytheon family of missiles in the system, giving customers a true missile mix with AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X.’
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