Today we’ll be taking a look at the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system, a joint development between Norway and the United States, coming to Sweden and the USA in the Line of Contact major update!
NASAMS 3: A SAM for the USA and Sweden at Rank VIII |
At a glance:
|
Vehicle History
Development of the NASAMS air defense missile system began in the 1980s by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with American company Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The project’s primary goal was to replace the aging Improved Hawk systems in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The key principle in the development of NASAMS was to standardize and the use of existing, proven components to reduce costs and accelerate development. The AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile with an active radar homing head was used as the primary weapon. A towed six-container launcher was developed for its ground launch. The detection and guidance system was a modernized AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel three-dimensional radar.
Testing of the system with actual missile launches was successfully completed in June 1993. By late 1994 and early 1995, the system had achieved initial operational capability and began entering service with the Norwegian Air Force, but its full operational capability was not completed until 1998. In 2019, the modernized NASAMS 3 was developed, capable of using AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II IR-guided missiles and extended-range AMRAAM-ER missiles.
Introducing the NASAMS 3!
The renowned NASAMS medium-range air defense system is coming to War Thunder as a Multi-Vehicle SAM System for two nations, the USA and Sweden. Let’s get acquainted with this new vehicle, coming in the Line of Contact major update!
Like all Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, the NASAMS consists of three vehicles: a Target Acquisition And Designation System (TADS) and two self-propelled launchers (SPLS). The launcher system features six containers mounted on a three-axle truck chassis and can fire three types of missiles: the AIM-120 with an active radar homing head, the AMRAAM-ER with extended range, and the all-aspect AIM 9-X Sidewinder Block II with an infrared seeker and excellent maneuverability. This means you’ll be able to provide cover for the team at both medium and short ranges and at high altitudes as well!
The Target Acquisition And Designation System (TADS), which is slightly unusual for Multi-Vehicle SAM systems, has a different chassis. It’s built on a military jeep platform, and even with quite a sizable Sentinel radar, it’s still relatively compact. The vehicle is easier to conceal in low terrain or foliage, which is crucial for the survivability of the entire system.
The NASAMS is coming to two nations, the USA and Sweden, where it will be a top-tier rank VIII air defense system. Two missile types allow for complete airspace control without any blind spots, while the system’s excellent mobility allows for deployment in unexpected locations and quick repositioning if needed. Look out for this vehicle coming in the Line of Contact major update, and we’ll catch you in the next blog!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.