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87-523: NASAMS was the first application of a surface-launched AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile). NASAMS 2 is an upgraded version of the system capable of using Link 16 , which has been operational since 2007. As of 2022, NASAMS 3 is the latest upgrade. Deployed in 2019, it adds capability to fire AIM-9X Sidewinder , and AMRAAM-ER missiles, and introduces mobile air-liftable launchers. NASAMS has proven interoperability with longer range systems such as Patriot . Development of NASAMS began in

174-645: A memorandum of agreement (MOA) with European allies (principally the UK and Germany for development) for the US to develop an advanced, medium-range, air-to-air missile with the USAF as lead service. The MOA also saw an agreement to develop a replacement for the Sidewinder, specifically; an advanced ‘dogfight’ air-to-air missile, capable of better covering the range disparity that would emerge between such short-range missiles and

261-462: A three-dimensional low-altitude airspace surveillance radar with the TPQ-36A software upgrade. The upgraded NOAH would still engage only one target per launcher pad, which was insufficient to counter the emerging threat of massive firing of cruise missiles. RNoAF ordered further development of a distributed, network-centric air defense system with multiple launchers and radars. The MIM-23B missile

348-517: A NASAMS battery without change. The AIM-9X variant includes an internal cooling system, eliminating the need for launch-rail nitrogen supply required by older variants of the missile. A report has described NASAMS as "extremely well suited to Ukraine because of the massive numbers of missiles that NATO and allies can supply, specifically for the air defence system." In particular, older AMRAAM A and B models have been replaced, making available many older missiles which could be sent to Ukraine. For example

435-614: A QF-4 target drone at the White Sands Missile Range . The range of the AIM-120D is classified, but is thought to extend to about 100 miles (160 km) or potentially up to 112 miles (180 km). The AIM-120D (P3I Phase 4) is a development of the AIM-120C with a two-way data link, more accurate navigation using a GPS-enhanced IMU, an expanded no-escape envelope, improved HOBS (high off-boresight) capability, and

522-643: A US Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet engaged and shot down a Sukhoi Su-22 of the Syrian Air Force over northern Syria, using an AIM-120. An AIM-9X Sidewinder had failed to bring down the Syrian jet. Some sources have claimed the AIM-9X was decoyed by flares, although the F/A-18E pilot, Lieutenant Commander Michael "MOB" Tremel stated it was unclear why the AIM-9X failed, mentioning no use of flares by

609-428: A broader frequency spectrum, variable rotation speed, and increased capacity to detect and follow targets. The radar platform comes on a trailer with its own power supply that can be towed by a variety of vehicles. Each radar can process and distribute the data independently, and can be connected via radio links, cable, through Multi Rolle Radio , or through TADKOM . The MSP500 electro-optical sensor from Rheinmetall

696-509: A complete airspace picture for the Tactical Control Officer (TCO). Each command post includes two color displays with a task-based common tactical operation control (CTOC) interface. The control system can detach itself from the sensors in order to become less visible. Operators can switch to a centralized control role by running operation center software (GBADOC). An optional Tactical Control Center (TCC) vehicle, similar to

783-566: A heavy missile. The Phoenix was the first US fire-and-forget , multiple-launch, radar-guided missile: one which used its own active guidance system to guide itself without help from the launch aircraft when it closed on its target. This, in theory, gave a Tomcat with a six-Phoenix load the unprecedented capability of tracking and destroying up to six targets beyond visual range, as far as 100 miles (160 km) away—the only US fighter with such capability. A full load of six Phoenix missiles and its 2,000 lb (910 kg) dedicated launcher exceeded

870-537: A high resolution day/night imaging sensor, and integrated laser rangefinder. The ADF plans to spend A$ 2.5 billion on its NASAMS-based air-defence network. In October 2021, Raytheon announced that the NASAMS 3 will be upgraded with GhostEye MR, a new medium-range S-band AESA radar based on GhostEye (formerly LTAMDS) technology developed for the MIM-104 Patriot system. In March 2022, Raytheon demonstrated that

957-617: A launcher that normally carried one Sparrow to allow for more air-to-ground weapons. Finally, the AMRAAM became one of the primary air-to-air weapons of the new Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter, which needed to place all of its weapons into internal weapons bays in order to help achieve an extremely low radar cross-section . AMRAAM was developed as the result of an agreement (the Family of Weapons MOA, no longer in effect by 1990), among

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1044-710: A layered defense. The integrated air defense battle management command and control system, based on KS500F computers and the KMC9000 control console with two color CRT displays, was first developed for the Norwegian Adapted Hawk (NOAH) program, an upgrade to the MIM-23B Improved Hawk semi-active radar head, surface-to-air missile system. This command and control system integrated existing AN/MPQ-46 High Power Illuminator Doppler Radar (HPIR) with AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar, modified into

1131-509: A locally made version of NASAMS 3, with CEA tactical (CEATAC) and towed CEA operational (CEAOPS) AESA radars, High Mobility Launchers and radar carried on Hawkei PMV vehicles instead of HMMWV, and Fire Distribution Center shelters produced at the Raytheon Australia's facility at Mawson Lakes . The system includes Raytheon AN/AAS-52 Multispectral Targeting System (MTS)-A, an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) guidance system with

1218-432: A max speed of Mach 4. The AIM-120D is a joint USAF/USN project for which Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) was completed in 2014. The USN was scheduled to field it from 2014, and AIM-120D will be carried by all Pacific carrier groups by 2020, although the 2013 sequestration cuts could push back this later date to 2022. The Royal Australian Air Force requested 450 AIM-120D missiles, which would make it

1305-777: A multiple-launch fire-and-forget capability for the F-15 and F-16. The AMRAAM would need to be fitted on fighters as small as the F-16, and fit in the same spaces that were designed to fit the Sparrow on the F-4 Phantom. The European partners needed AMRAAM to be integrated on aircraft as small as the BAe Sea Harrier . The US Navy needed the AMRAAM to be carried on the F/A-18 Hornet and wanted capability for two to be carried on

1392-509: A number of towed batteries (containing six AMRAAM launching canisters with integrated launching rails) along with separate radar trucks and control station vehicles. The US Marine Corps and the US Army tested launching AMRAAM missiles from a six-rail carrier on HMMWV as part of their CLAWS (Complementary Low-Attitude Weapon System) and SLAMRAAM (Surface Launched AMRAAM) programs, which were canceled due to budgetary cuts. A more recent version

1479-615: A proof of its usage during the engagement. During the Yemeni War , Saudi Arabia extensively used F-15 and Typhoon aircraft together with Patriot batteries to intercept and down Yemeni drones and missiles. In November 2021, a possible Foreign Military Sales contract was notified to the US Congress regarding the provision to Saudi Arabia for a mix of 280 AIM-120C-7 and C-8 missiles and related support equipment and service that would be used on Saudi F-15 and Typhoon aircraft. The deal

1566-542: A radar forms an "Acquisition Radar and Control System" (ARCS). NASAMS capabilities are enhanced by the system's networked and distributed nature. The shelter module hosts two identical consoles for the Tactical Control Officer (TCO) and the Tactical Control Assistant (TCA). The AMRAAM missile is fired from a towed launcher with six missile canisters; the standard AMRAAM missile has a horizontal range of up to 25 kilometers (16 mi). Other sources cite

1653-502: A radar lock after the missile seeker goes active and guides itself to the targets. The missile also features the ability to "Home on Jamming," giving it the ability to switch over from active radar homing to passive homing – homing on jamming signals from the target aircraft. Software on board the missile allows it to detect if it is being jammed, and guide on its target using the proper guidance system. AMRAAM uses two-stage guidance when fired at long range. The aircraft passes data to

1740-521: A range of "over 15 km" and 40 km for the extended range version. By the late 1990s, RNoAF formed an integrated ground-based air defense system known as the Norwegian Solution (NORSOL), by connecting NASAMS battle management ARCS stations with two other air defense systems via field wires and radio. Subordinate weapon systems included the RBS 70 laser beam assisted MANPADS system and

1827-513: A self-homing distance where it will be close enough to "catch" the target aircraft in the basket (the missile's radar field of view in which it will be able to lock onto the target aircraft, unassisted by the launch aircraft). Not all armed services using the AMRAAM have elected to purchase the mid-course update option, which limits AMRAAM's effectiveness in some scenarios. The RAF initially opted not to use mid-course update for its Tornado F3 force, only to discover that without it, testing proved

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1914-666: A typical Vietnam-era bomb load. Its service in the US Navy was primarily as a deterrent, as its use was hampered by restrictive rules of engagement in conflicts such as 1991 Gulf War , Southern Watch (enforcing no-fly zones), and Iraq War . The US Navy retired the Phoenix in 2004 in light of availability of the AIM-120 AMRAAM on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and the pending retirement of

2001-636: Is an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile using AMRAAM head with two-stage guidance system. It was first shown at the Paris Air Show 2007 and was test-fired in 2008. Following the cancellation of SLAMRAAM funding in 2011, development of the NASAMS version restarted in 2014. In February 2015 Raytheon announced the AMRAAM-ER missile option for NASAMS, with expected production in 2019, and the first flight test took place in August 2016. Engagement envelope

2088-422: Is an extended range upgrade, based upon an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile rocket motor, paired with a two-stage AMRAAM guidance head, expanding its engagement envelope, with a 50 percent increase in maximum range and 70 percent increase in maximum altitude, giving a maximum range of about 50 km. The extended range missile will have greater ability to take down fast flying and hard-maneuvering targets. In May 2019,

2175-480: Is equipped with a laser rangefinder and a TV camera, as well as an upgraded thermographic camera . These can be used to fire the missiles passively, which has been successfully tested. MSP600 is a new lightweight version updated with digital signal processing. It is used by several countries. Fire Distribution Centers (FDCs) can form a network with geographically distributed sensors and use either centralised or distributed data fusion to process radar tracks and form

2262-683: Is in use with both armies and air forces around the world in addition to Poland, Greece, and Turkey operate the Kongsberg Command and Control solution for various weapon systems. [REDACTED] Media related to NASAMS at Wikimedia Commons AIM-120 AMRAAM The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) ( / æ m r æ m / AM -ram ) is an American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. It uses active transmit-receive radar guidance instead of semi-active receive-only radar guidance. When an AMRAAM missile

2349-548: Is launched, NATO pilots use the brevity code " Fox Three ". As of 2008 more than 14,000 had been produced for the United States Air Force , the United States Navy , and 33 international customers. The AMRAAM has been used in several engagements, achieving 16 air-to-air kills in conflicts over Iraq , Bosnia , Kosovo , India , and Syria . The AIM-7 Sparrow medium range missile (MRM)

2436-832: Is likely driven by the PL-15 performance. The AIM-120D-3 and the AIM-120C-8 variant for international customers were developed under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) program and feature 15 upgraded circuit cards in the missile guidance section and the capability to continuously upgrade future software enhancements. All AMRAAMs planned for production are either the AIM-120D-3 or the AIM-120C-8 incorporating F3R functionality as of April 2023. The Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and fielded in 1994–1995, consists of

2523-629: Is the High Mobility Launcher for the NASAMS, made in cooperation with Raytheon (Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace was already a subcontractor on the SLAMRAAM system), where the launch-vehicle is a Humvee (M1152A1 HMMWV), containing four AMRAAMs and two optional AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. As part of the SLAMRAAM project, Raytheon offered the Extended Range upgrade to surface-launched AMRAAM, called AMRAAM-ER. The missile

2610-691: Is the prime contractor to deliver NASAMS to the Australian Government Land 19 Phase 7B program. The Australian version of NASAMS GBAD will use locally made components. Defence minister Marise Payne announced first-pass approval in April 2017. In September 2021, the first two Fire Distribution Centres for the Australian NASAMS passed factory acceptance tests. In February 2022, the Mk2 canister for NASAMS launchers had been completed. It

2697-567: The AIM-54 Phoenix long-range missile (LRM) for the fleet air defense mission. It was a large 1,000 lb (500 kg), Mach 5 missile designed to counter cruise missiles and the bombers that launched them. Originally intended for the straight-wing Douglas F6D Missileer and then the navalized General Dynamics–Grumman F-111B , it finally saw service with the Grumman F-14 Tomcat , the only fighter capable of carrying such

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2784-556: The Bofors 40 mm L70 gun , controlled by the Oerlikon Contraves FCS2000 monopulse doppler tracking radar . The solution integrated all three systems (NASAMS, RBS70, and L70/FCS2000) to provide battlefield awareness to commanders of all echelons, and to ensure protection of friendly aircraft while preventing overkill (i.e. engagement of a single threat by multiple air-defense units) and underkill (failure to engage

2871-626: The Sidewinder missile. In place of a proximity-fuzed warhead, the NCADE will use a kinetic energy hit-to-kill vehicle based on the one used in the Navy's RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 . The -120A and -120B models are currently nearing the end of their service life while the -120D variant achieved initial operational capability in 2015. AMRAAM was due to be replaced by the USAF , the U.S. Navy , and

2958-489: The Syrian Air Force using two AIM-120C-7s. On 3 March 2020, a Syrian Air Force L-39 was shot down over Idlib by Turkish Air Force F-16s from inside Turkish airspace with AIM-120C-7 at a distance of about 45 km (28 mi). As of 2020, this has been the longest range AIM-120 kill. On 27 February 2019, India stated that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) used AMRAAMs during Operation Swift Retort . Indian officials displayed fragments of an alleged AIM-120C-5 missile as

3045-608: The U.S. Marine Corps after 2020 by the Joint Dual Role Air Dominance Missile ( Next Generation Missile ), but it was terminated in the 2013 budget plan. Exploratory work was started in 2017 on a replacement called Long-Range Engagement Weapon . In 2017, work on the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) began to create a longer-ranged replacement for the AMRAAM to contend with foreign weapons like

3132-550: The U.S. Navy replace the F-14 Tomcats with F/A-18E/F Super Hornets – the loss of the F-14's long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missiles (already retired) is offset with a longer-range AMRAAM-D. The lighter weight of the enhanced AMRAAM enables an F/A-18E/F pilot greater bring-back weight upon carrier landings. The AIM-120D is an upgraded version of the AMRAAM with improvements in almost all areas, including 50% greater range (than

3219-488: The 1980s when Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) teamed up with Hughes Missile Systems and Hughes Aircraft Ground Systems Group and initiated the program as a cooperative effort for the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). As originally envisioned, NASAMS would replace two Nike Hercules facilities in defending Norway's southern air bases, where it would act in conjunction with F-16s in providing

3306-662: The AIM-120 AMRAAM, which were originally developed for the U.S. Army SLAMRAAM project. They can be air-lifted by C-130 Hercules or C-17 Globemaster . The High Mobility Launcher is capable of launching both AIM-120 and AIM-9X from its four launching rails, and can be equipped with two additional rails. IRIS-T launchers and support vehicles will be based on the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) and upgraded M113 ( M577A2 ) command vehicles. They will be equipped with XENTA-M X-band radars designed by Weibel Scientific . In June 2019, Australia ordered

3393-667: The AIM-9X Block II was test fired from NASAMS launchers at the Andøya Space Center in Norway. A new short-range 'Mobile Ground Based Air Defense System' configuration had been developed for initial deployment with Brigade Nord of the Norwegian Army . Each battery includes six mobile IRIS-T SLS missile launchers mounted on tracked vehicles and three M1152A1 HMMWV -based High Mobility Launcher (HML) for

3480-512: The AMRAAM was less effective in beyond visual range (BVR) engagements than the older semi-active radar homing BAE Skyflash (a development of the Sparrow), since the AIM-120's own radar is necessarily of lesser range and power as compared to that of the launch aircraft. Once the missile closes to self-homing distance, it turns on its active radar seeker and searches for the target aircraft. If

3567-465: The AMRAAMs being informally named "slammer" in the second half of the 1990s. In 1994, two USAF F-15 fighters patrolling Iraq's Northern No-Fly Zone mistook a pair of US Army Black Hawk helicopters for Iraqi helicopters, and shot them down . One was downed with an AIM-120, and one with an AIM-9 Sidewinder. In 1998 and 1999 AMRAAMs were again fired by USAF F-15 fighters at Iraqi aircraft violating

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3654-741: The ASRAAM was developed solely by the British, but using another source for its infrared seeker. After protracted development, the deployment of AMRAAM (AIM-120A) began in September 1991 in US Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighter squadrons . The US Navy soon followed (in 1993) in its McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet squadrons. The Russian Air Force counterpart of AMRAAM is the somewhat similar R-77 (NATO codename AA-12 Adder), sometimes referred to in

3741-610: The ASRAAM, with the ‘Block 6’ variant entering service in 2022. By the 1990s, the reliability of the Sparrow had improved significantly, relative to its use in Vietnam, with it accounting for the largest number of aerial targets destroyed in the Desert Storm phase of the Gulf War. However, while the USAF had passed on the Phoenix and its own similar AIM-47 Falcon / Lockheed YF-12 to optimize dogfight performance, it still needed

3828-899: The Battalion Operations Center (BOC) for the Hawk XXI upgrade, includes a third command post which can be used for this role. The control modules can be mounted on a large variety of vehicles. Each module can automatically determine its position using electronic northfinder and GPS receiver. In April 2019, RNoAF fielded the upgraded NASAMS 3 system. In May 2019, the first live firing tests were conducted. NASAMS 3 comes with an updated Fire Distribution Center station, an "ADX" console that has ergonomic control surfaces and three 30" flat-panel displays. The redesigned Mk 2 canister launcher can fire AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II short-range missiles and AMRAAM-ER missiles from its launching rails , in addition to AIM-120 AMRAAM. AMRAAM-ER

3915-629: The Chinese PL-15 . Flight tests are planned to begin in 2021 and initial operational capability is slated for 2022, facilitating the end of AMRAAM production by 2026. In July 2022, Raytheon announced the AIM-120D-3 became the longest-range variant in testing, as well as an air-launched adaptation of the NASAMS-based AMRAAM-ER called the AMRAAM-AXE (air-launched extended envelope). The development of AIM-120D-3 and AMRAAM-AXE

4002-491: The F-14 Tomcat from active service in late 2006. The Department of Defense conducted an extensive evaluation of air combat tactics and missile technology from 1974 to 1978 at Nellis AFB using the F-14 Tomcat and F-15 Eagle equipped with Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles as the blue force and aggressor F-5E aircraft equipped with AIM-9L all-aspect Sidewinders as the red force. This joint test and evaluation (JT&E)

4089-634: The High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) can be paired with NASAMS to destroy a swarm of drone targets. The AMRAAM is one of the most widely used air-to-air missiles in the world, and stockpiles of it are higher than any other comparable system. As NASAMS uses existing air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AMRAAM, and AMRAAM-ER, there may be thousands of older missiles in NATO's arsenal that can be fired from

4176-569: The NASAMS-3 to improve its own air defense capabilities; two batteries were delivered in 2020. In April 2017, Australia approved a single-supplier-limited Request for Tender (RFT) to Raytheon Australia to develop NASAMS for the ADF short-range ground-based air-defence system. In June 2019, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (Norway) was awarded a US$ 185 million contract by Raytheon Australia for delivery of NASAMS components, while Raytheon Australia

4263-629: The No-Fly-Zone, but this time they failed to hit their targets. During spring 1999, AMRAAMs saw their main combat action during Operation Allied Force , the Kosovo bombing campaign . Six Serbian MiG-29s were shot down by NATO (four USAF F-15Cs, one USAF F-16C, and one Dutch F-16A MLU), all of them using AIM-120 missiles (the supposed kill by the F-16C may have actually been friendly fire, a man-portable SA-7 fired by Serbian infantry). On 18 June 2017,

4350-555: The Su-22, saying "I [lost] the smoke trail, and I have no idea what happened to the missile at that point". On 23 March 2014 a Turkish Air Force F-16 from 182 Squadron shot down a Syrian Arab Air Force MiG-23BN with an AIM-120C-7. On 24 November 2015 a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24M strike aircraft with an AIM-120 missile over northern Syria after it allegedly crossed into Turkish airspace. On 1 March 2020, Turkish Air Force F-16s downed two Su-24s belonging to

4437-522: The UK government has offered to donate "[h]undreds of additional air defence missiles" including the AMRAAMs. In the U.S., several NASAMS were used to guard air space over Washington, D.C. during the 2005 United States presidential inauguration , and are used to protect air space around the White House , such as at nearby Fort Belvoir and the Carderock NSWC . In 2017, Lithuania ordered

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4524-469: The US DoD announced that it would provide six additional NASAMS units "with additional munitions" to Ukraine under the USAI. The Pentagon said in late September 2022 that the NASAMS would start to be delivered in "two months or so". The initial NASAMS batteries for Ukraine arrived in early November 2022. The Pentagon stated that NASAMS had a 100% success rate during the Russian missile strikes on 15 November 2022 . Ukrainian President Zelenskyy disclosed that

4611-443: The USAF F-22 Raptor from four to six AMRAAMs. AIM-120B deliveries began in 1994. The AIM-120C deliveries began in 1996. The C-variant has been steadily upgraded since it was introduced. The AIM-120C-5 and above have an improved HOBs (High Off Bore-Sight) capability which improves its G overload and seekers field of view over the previous variants allowing the missile to be more maneuverable and be used at targets that are offset from

4698-419: The Ukrainian Air Force said that NASAMS have destroyed more than 100 enemy missiles and drones. On February 26 2024, the first Ukrainian NASAMS launcher was destroyed by Russian forces in Zaporizhzhia.As of 27 March 2024, at least 2 NASAMS launchers were destroyed by Russian forces. On 27 February 2024, Raytheon successfully test fired an AMRAAM-ER from a NASAMS for the first time. NASAMS has been exported to

4785-427: The United States and several other NATO nations to develop air-to-air missiles and to share production technology. Under this agreement, the U.S. was to develop the next generation medium range missile (AMRAAM) and Europe would develop the next generation short range missile (ASRAAM). Although Europe initially adopted the AMRAAM, an effort to develop the MDBA Meteor , a competitor to AMRAAM, was begun in UK. Eventually,

4872-432: The United States, with the NASAMS 2 upgrade having been exported to Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Oman, and Chile. There were 13 official operators as of September 2022. Kongsberg stated that NASAMS was in operational use in Norway, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Finland, Oman, Lithuania, Indonesia and "one undisclosed customer". The system is in production for Australia, Qatar, Hungary, and Ukraine. The NASAMS

4959-433: The West as the "AMRAAMski". Likewise, France began its own air-to-air missile development with the MICA concept that used a common airframe for separate radar-guided and infrared-guided versions. The AMRAAM was used operationally for the first time on December 27, 1992, when a USAF General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon shot down an Iraqi MiG-25 that violated the southern no-fly-zone. This missile had been returned from

5046-431: The aerial combat capabilities of US and allied aircraft to meet the threat of enemy air-to-air weapons as they existed in 1991. AMRAAM serves as a follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series. The new missile is faster, smaller, and lighter, and has improved capabilities against low-altitude targets. It also incorporates a datalink to guide the missile to a point where its active radar turns on and makes terminal intercept of

5133-444: The already-extended range AIM-120C-7) and better guidance over its entire flight envelope yielding an improved kill probability ( P k ). Initial production began in 2006 under the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of program testing and ceased in September 2009. Raytheon began testing the D model on August 5, 2008, the company reported that an AIM-120D launched from an F/A-18F Super Hornet passed within lethal distance of

5220-447: The common tactical picture and/or common operational picture together. The term tactical digital information link (TADIL) was made obsolete (per DISA guidance) and is now more commonly seen as tactical data link (TDL) . TDLs are characterized by their standard message and transmission formats. This is usually written as <Message Format>/<Transmission Format>. In NATO, tactical data link standards are being developed by

5307-447: The eventual AMRAAM. This task fell to a British-German design team, with the Germans leaving the project in 1989. The missile would emerge as the British Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), entering service in 1998. While the U.S. never adopted the ASRAAM — instead opting to continue upgrading the Sidewinder — the ASRAAM did enter into service with the British, Indian, and Australian militaries. The UK has continued to upgrade

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5394-483: The existing Ukrainian air defense systems are Soviet-type systems, so over time it will be harder to sustain them. This is part of updating Ukrainian air defence from a Soviet-era system to a modern one. The systems being supplied may come from Norwegian stocks and may be retired units. On 29 July 2022, the US DoD disclosed that it had started the formal process of acquiring two NASAMS batteries of 12 mobile launchers, each having six missiles, for Ukraine. On 24 August 2022,

5481-403: The first foreign operator of the missile. The procurement, approved by the US Government in April 2016, will cost $ 1.1 billion and will be integrated for use on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. There were also plans for Raytheon to develop a ramjet -powered derivative of the AMRAAM, the Future Medium Range Air-Air Missile ( FMRAAM ). The FMRAAM

5568-479: The first thing it sees. This mode can be used for defensive shots, i.e. when the enemy has numerical superiority. There are currently four main variants of AMRAAM, all in service with the United States Air Force , United States Navy , and the United States Marine Corps. The AIM-120A is no longer in production and shares the enlarged wings and fins with the successor AIM-120B . The AIM-120C has smaller "clipped" aerosurfaces to enable increased internal carriage on

5655-536: The flight line as defective a day earlier. The AMRAAM gained a second victory in January 1993 when an Iraqi MiG-23 was shot down by a USAF F-16C. On 28 February 1994, a Republika Srpska Air Force J-21 Jastreb aircraft was shot down by a USAF F-16C that was patrolling the UN-imposed no-fly zone over Bosnia . In that engagement, at least three other Serbian aircraft were shot down by USAF F-16Cs using AIM-9 missiles ( Banja Luka incident ). At that point, three launches in combat had resulted in three kills, resulting in

5742-413: The hopes of using the missile to arm their prospective Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow interceptor, soon followed in 1958. The electronics of the time simply could not be miniaturized enough to make Sparrow II a viable working weapon. It would take decades, and a new generation of digital electronics, to produce an effective active-radar air-to-air missile as compact as the Sparrow. The US Navy later developed

5829-447: The launching fighter plane at a time. Also, the launching aircraft had to remain pointed in the direction of the target (within the azimuth and elevation of its own radar set) which could be difficult or dangerous in air-to-air combat . An active-radar variant called the Sparrow II was developed to address these drawbacks, but the U.S. Navy pulled out of the project in 1956. The Royal Canadian Air Force , which took over development in

5916-452: The launching aircraft frontal view which allows for greater flexibility during air-to-air combat. The AIM-120C-6 contained an improved fuze (Target Detection Device) compared to its predecessor. The AIM-120C-7 development began in 1998 and included improvements in homing and greater range (actual amount of improvement unspecified). It was successfully tested in 2003 and is currently being produced for both domestic and foreign customers. It helped

6003-492: The missile called AMRAAM-AXE, from "Air-launched Extended Envelope". Tactical data link A tactical data link ( TDL ) uses a data link standard in order to provide communication via radio waves or cable used by NATO nations. All military C3 systems use standardized TDL to transmit, relay and receive tactical data. Multi-TDL network ( MTN ) refers to the network of similar and dissimilar TDLs integrated through gateways, translators, and correlators to bring

6090-430: The missile just before launch, giving it information about the location of the target aircraft from the launch point, including its direction and speed. This information is generally obtained using the launching aircraft's radar, although it could come from an infrared search and track system, from another fighter aircraft via a data link , or from an AWACS aircraft. Using its built-in inertial navigation system (INS),

6177-411: The missile uses the information provided pre-launch to fly on an interception course toward the target. After launch, if the firing aircraft or surrogate continues to track the target, periodic updates, e.g. changes in the target's direction and speed, are sent from the launch aircraft to the missile, allowing the missile to adjust its course, via actuation of the rear fins, so that it is able to close to

6264-477: The missiles initially performed poorly against fighters over North Vietnam, and were progressively improved until they proved highly effective in dogfights. Together with the short-range, infrared-guided AIM-9 Sidewinder , they replaced the AIM-4 Falcon IR and radar guided series for use in air combat by the USAF as well. A disadvantage to semi-active homing was that only one target could be illuminated by

6351-664: The radar of the launching aircraft. It was effective at visual to beyond visual range. The early beam riding versions of the Sparrow missiles were integrated onto the McDonnell F3H Demon and Vought F7U Cutlass , but the definitive AIM-7 Sparrow was the primary weapon for the all-weather McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter/interceptor, which lacked an internal gun in its U.S. Navy , U.S. Marine Corps , and early U.S. Air Force versions. The F-4 carried up to four AIM-7s in built-in recesses under its belly. Designed for use against non-maneuvering targets such as bombers,

6438-420: The speed of the missile and the target, and how hard the target can turn. Typically, if the missile has sufficient energy during the terminal phase, which comes from being launched at close range to the target from an aircraft with an altitude and speed advantage, it will have a good chance of success. This chance drops as the missile is fired at longer ranges as it runs out of overtake speed at long ranges, and if

6525-682: The system shot down 10 missiles out of 10 targeted. The US government has been trying to obtain more NASAMS from Middle Eastern countries, as manufacturing a new system from scratch with the current production rates may take two years. According to Raytheon CEO Gregory J. Hayes , the systems obtained from the Middle Eastern countries would later be replaced by the new ones. However, Hayes denied that these Middle Eastern countries would have to wait 2 years to obtain new NASAMS: "Just because it takes 24 months to build, it doesn’t mean it’s going to take 24 months to get in [the] country." In April 2023,

6612-426: The target can force the missile to turn it might bleed off enough speed that it can no longer chase the target. Operationally, the missile, which was designed for beyond visual range combat, has a P k of 0.59. The targets included six MiG-29s, a MiG-25, a MiG-23, two Su-22s, a Galeb, and a US Army Blackhawk that was targeted by mistake. AMRAAM has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range (BVR) capability. It improves

6699-446: The target is in or near the expected location, the missile will find it and guide itself to the target from this point. If the missile is fired at short range, within visual range (WVR) or the near BVR, it can use its active seeker just after launch to guide it to intercept. Apart from the radar-slaved mode, there is a free guidance mode, called "Visual". This mode is host-aircraft radar guidance-free—the missile just fires and locks onto

6786-432: The target. An inertial reference unit and micro-computer system makes the missile less dependent upon the fire-control system of the aircraft. Once the missile closes in on the target, its active radar guides it to intercept. This feature, known as "fire-and-forget", frees the aircrew from the need to further provide guidance, enabling the aircrew to aim and fire several missiles simultaneously at multiple targets and break

6873-744: The threat by any unit). The RNoAF together with KDA conducted a mid-life update of NASAMS in the early 2000s, called NASAMS 2. The upgraded version was handed over to RNoAF in mid-2006. The major difference between the two versions is the use of standard tactical data links ( Link 16 , Link 11 , JREAP , ATDL-1 etc.), as well as a better ground radar. Full operational capability (FOC) was expected for 2007. A complete NASAMS 2 battery consists of up to four firing units. Each firing unit includes 3 missile launchers (LCHR), each carrying six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, one AN/MPQ-64F1 Improved Sentinel radar, one Fire Distribution Center vehicle, and one electro-optical camera vehicle (MSP500). The Improved Sentinel radar has

6960-425: Was designated Air Combat Evaluation/Air Intercept Missile Evaluation (ACEVAL/AIMVAL). A principal finding was that the necessity to produce illumination for the Sparrow until impact resulted in the red force's being able to launch their all-aspect Sidewinders before impact, resulting in mutual kills. What was needed was Phoenix-type multiple-launch and terminal active capability in a Sparrow-size airframe. This led to

7047-422: Was developed in the 2000s and became operational in 2006. A third generation, NASAMS 3, was developed in the 2010s and fielded in 2019. The system integrates U.S.-built TPQ-36A air defense X band 3D radar and AMRAAM missiles with a Norwegian developed battle management C4I (command, control, communication, computers and intelligence) system called FDC, short for Fire Distribution Center. The FDC connected to

7134-530: Was expanded with a 50 percent increase in maximum range and 70 percent increase in maximum altitude. In 2019 Qatar placed an order for AMRAAM-ER missiles as part of a NASAMS purchase. The missile was testfired at Andøya Space Center in May 2021. In February 2024, Raytheon flight-tested an upgraded version of AMRAAM-ER with an improved rocket motor and control actuator system and an AIM-120C-8 guidance head. Raytheon has proposed an air-launched adaptation of

7221-868: Was not produced since the target market, the British Ministry of Defence, chose the Meteor missile over the FMRAAM for a BVR missile for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. Raytheon is also working with the Missile Defense Agency to develop the Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE), an anti-ballistic missile derived from the AIM-120. This weapon will be equipped with a ramjet engine and an infrared homing seeker derived from

7308-714: Was planned to deliver three canister launchers in 2022. In 2019, Qatar placed an order for AMRAAM-ER missiles as part of a NASAMS purchase. On 1 July 2022, the United States through the Pentagon announced, as part of an $ 820 million military aid package to Ukraine , the delivery of NASAMS air defense systems through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) during the Russian invasion of Ukraine . A US defence official said

7395-410: Was purchased by the US Navy from original developer Hughes Aircraft in the 1950s as its first operational air-to-air missile with " beyond visual range " (BVR) capability. With an effective range of about 12 miles (19 km), it was introduced as a radar beam-riding missile and then it was improved to a semi-active radar guided missile which would home in on reflections from a target illuminated by

7482-458: Was replaced with the active radar homing AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, which also uses an inertial navigation system during initial approach. The TPQ-36A radar was upgraded to the rotating AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel configuration. Test launches were performed in June 1993. The system had an initial operational capability in late 1994 – early 1995. It was fully operationally fielded in 1998. An enhanced NASAMS 2

7569-544: Was required to replenish Saudi missiles stock, running low due to extensive use of AMRAAMs and Patriots against Yemeni missiles and drones. On 7 August 2018, a Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon accidentally launched a missile in Estonia. There were no human casualties, but a ten-day search operation for the missile was unsuccessful. The kill probability (P k ) is determined by several factors, including aspect (head-on interception, side-on or tail-chase), altitude,

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