A new, extended-range version of the Raytheon [RTN] AMRAAM missile (AMRAAM-ER) destroyed a drone target in its first flight test, the company said Oct. 4.
The AMRAAM-ER was fired from a ground-based National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) during the Aug. 31 test, which occurred at the Andoya Space Center in Norway.
“The live-fire shot verified that the complete system – including the AMRAAM-ER missile, NASAMS missile launcher, Sentinel radar and Fire Distribution Center – worked seamlessly together to engage and destroy a target drone with a live-warhead-equipped missile,” Raytheon said.
AMRAAM-ER, which Raytheon is developing on its own, combines AMRAAM’s guidance section and warhead with the rocket motor from the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). The new missile is intended to increase the reach of NASAMS, whose current interceptors include AMRAAM, ESSM and the AIM 9-X Sidewinder.
NASAMS, which is made by Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg [KOG], is designed to shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles. It is used to defend the U.S. capital region and is also in service in Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and one undisclosed country. It is in production for Oman.