US Defense Contractor Readies Integrated Air Defense System for Year End

A new extended-range version of the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM-ER) integrated with the NASAMS mobile ground defense system will be ready for live-fire demonstrations and flight tests by the end of 2015, US defense contractor Raytheon said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Raytheon explained it conducted a test that confirmed the AMRAAM-ER can be integrated with the NASAMS launcher, opening the way for flight tests.

Aviation Ordnancemen lift an Advanced, Medium-Range, Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)

© AP Photo / Navy, Yesenia Rosas

“Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, AMRAAM-ER will be combined with AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel radar and the NASAMS launcher to provide increased air defense protection in the medium-range air defense market,” Raytheon said on Wednesday.

The AMRAAM is a guided missile capable of hitting targets out-of-sight of firing aircraft or ground-based launchers. The new version has an extended distance and altitude range of the traditional AMRAAM.

NASAMS is a mobile air defense launcher that provides ground forces with air defense cover that protects population centers, including the Washington, DC area.

AMRAAM is used by 36 countries on a number of aircraft, including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.