Page 65 - AA 2018_11

NASAMS

and evolving aircraft, unmanned The AMRAAM’s range and the ‘The ground- Risk mitigation
aerial vehicles, and cruise missile ability to intercept targets beyond Raytheon Australia signed a $12.1m
visual range is a key driver towards
threats. It has been integrated into having the LAND 19 Phase 7B solution launched contract with the Commonwealth
the US National Capital Region’s air in October 2017 to conduct a
fully integrated with emerging ADF
defence system since 2005, and is in Integrated Air and Missile Defence AMRAAM comprehensive risk mitigation activity
service with seven nations, including (RMA) for LAND 19 Phase 7B.
Norway, Spain, Oman, Finland, and (IAMD) programs. will still be That risk mitigation work, in
the Netherlands, and has been ordered The air-launched version of the conjunction with Canberra-based CEA
AIM-120C5/7 and later versions of
by Lithuania and Indonesia. The AMRAAM reportedly have a range capable of Technologies and Thales Australia,
capability is adaptable and can utilise has included incorporating the system
different launchers, radar and other exceeding 100km. Even without the intercepting into the Australian environment, and
sensor technologies, and missile types. kinetic benefits of being launched the potential integration of a CEA
“The Raytheon offering draws on the ground-launched AMRAAM will BVR targets.’ phased array radar to the system. One
from a fighter aircraft at altitude,
a common launch rail that can make of the key tasks assessed the feasibility
effective use of multiple weapons from still be capable of intercepting BVR of integrating the system with existing
existing ADF inventory,” Raytheon targets, putting its capabilities far and incoming Australian Army
Australia managing director Michael beyond the RBS-70. vehicles including the Thales-built
Ward said at the time. “Whilst we’re talking about this being Hawkei and Bushmaster protected
“As the prime systems integrator, a ‘short-range’ system, the main effector mobility vehicles, and the Army’s new
our solution will provide short and for the capability will be AMRAAM,” Rheinmetall MAN medium and heavy
medium-range defence capability Michael Ward told sister publication trucks.
using in-service multipurpose ADBR in a recent interview. “Whilst the Australian NASAMS
Raytheon AMRAAM missiles, “This a significant step forward system will come with a counter
and potentially AIM-9X missiles, for Army capability, even the surface- rocket, artillery and mortar (or
providing a system to meet Army’s launched AMRAAM gives you some C-RAM) sense, warn and locate
ground-based air and missile defence considerable range when compared to NASAMS is in service with capability, we also did look at potential
requirements.” RBS-70.” Norway and the USA. raytheon intercept solutions available through a

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