US-based Raytheon, a major defence equipment manufacturer, recently completed extensive lab testing on a new extended range variant of the combat-proven Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (Amraam).

The tests validate that extended range Amraam-ER (Extended Range) can be integrated and employed from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams).

"Amraam-ER significantly expands the capability of our Nasams ground-based air defense system. The new surface-launched missile will have a longer range and higher speed than the current Amraam," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "By leveraging components from existing weapons programs, Raytheon is on a fast track to deliver Amraam-ER affordably and with very low risk."

Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, the Amraam-ER missile will be fielded as part of Nasams. Along with Raytheon’s AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel radar and KONGSBERG’s Fire Distribution Center and canister launcher, the system will provide increased protection in the medium range air defense market.

Nasams is a tailorable, state-of-the-art networked air defense system that combines redundancy and survivability with unrivaled firepower. The system can quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving threats – like enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or cruise missiles.

Nasams is a highly adaptable medium range solution for any operational air defense requirement. Together with Norwegian partner Kongsberg, Raytheon has delivered more than 70 fire units to seven countries. It is the most commonly used Short and Medium Range Air Defense System in Nato.

Amraam is a combat-proven missile that demonstrates operational flexibility in both air-to-air and surface-launch scenarios and provides today's military forces with enhanced operational capability, cost effectiveness and future growth options/solutions.

Procured by 36 countries, the combat-proven Amraam has been integrated on the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier, F-4 and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. It is also the baseline missile for the NATO-approved National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.

Sentinel is the premier air surveillance and target acquisition/tracking sensor for the US Army Cruise Missile Defense Systems program. It is a highly mobile, three-dimensional, phased-array, ground-based air defense radar system that operates in the X-band.

Sentinel automatically detects, tracks, identifies, classifies and reports airborne threats, including helicopters, high-speed attack aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. – TradeArabia News Service