Raytheon Missiles & Defense and the US Air Force recently conducted a first-of-its-kind Air Base Air Defense experiment with a mix of short and medium-range missiles shooting down cruise missile targets.
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) fired AIM-9X Sidewinders, AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), and AMRAAM-Extended Range missiles to engage the targets at various ranges.
The experiment assessed NASAMS’ ability to fire the missiles while being integrated with a multi-layered system comprising “US Army radars and US Air Force’s operationally fielded command and control capability, the Battle Space Command and Control Center (BC3) developed by Raytheon Solipsys.”
Demonstrates Weapon Selection Flexibility
During the experiment, the radar first passed the targeting information to the BC3, which, in turn, relayed critical data to the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Fire Distribution Center (FDC) “for threat evaluation and weapon assignment.”
Assessing the information, the FDC operator picked the most appropriate missile from the NASAMS multi-missile canister launcher to shoot down the target.
“We demonstrated how integrated defense solutions enable the warfighter to deploy the right effector at the right time and at the right target,” President of Raytheon Missiles & Defense Wes Kremer said.
“Using fielded systems, our goal is to provide customers the quickest, most effective way to protect their people and critical infrastructure with layered cruise missile defense.”
President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Eirik Lie added, “This experiment demonstrates NASAMS’ flexibility, providing the operator with enhanced firing alternatives to successfully execute complex threat scenarios employing a range of missiles.”
