The state-of-the-art facility in James City County, Virginia, will enhance the Norwegian firm’s production capability for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM).

More importantly, it will bring the capability to the US, including sustainment and tech refresh capabilities for the missiles.

“Kongsberg is investing in a big way in the US market by making Virginia the US home of our new missile factory, which will entail hiring more than 180 people,” president and general manager of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Heather Armentrout said.

“We will also be investing more than $100 million into the Commonwealth of Virginia over the next few years, in terms of property, plant and equipment. 

“This is in addition to expansion at our core US production facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.”

Missile Production Expansion

This is the third missile facility Kongsberg announced in the last few months, including in Norway and Australia.

The decision is also in anticipation of a multiyear procurement contract by the US Department of Defense.

The NSM is an anti-ship missile operational with five navies, including the US Navy. 

The JSM is an air-launched cruise missile designed to fit into the F-35’s internal bay and perform complex missions such as anti-surface warfare and land attack. 

“The US Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are important customers for Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. Their demand signals gave us the predictability we needed to make this investment in the United States,” president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Eirik Lie said. 

“This will allow us to better serve our allies in the US and continue to expand that supply chain locally, building capacity and redundancy for these critical capabilities.”

Virginia Facility

The 150,000-square-foot (13,935 square meters) facility will be equipped to assemble, upgrade, and repair both the missiles.

The company expected to invest $71 million in the facility and an additional $30 million in engineering and software, Virginia Business stated, citing the office of the governor of Virginia.

The post Kongsberg to Produce NSM, JSM Missiles at Virginia Facility appeared first on The Defense Post.

The initiative aims to ensure that the rotary-wing aircraft can continue to support the country’s special forces until a more modern fleet is fully operational.

Under the agreement, the Bell choppers will be upgraded in two phases. The first stage focuses on their civilian communications and navigation solutions, while phase two will involve modernizing the aircraft’s military communications system.

“The government’s long-term plan includes enhancing helicopter capacity,” Royal Norwegian Air Force chief Major General Øivind Gunnerud said. “Upgrading the Bell 412 guarantees immediate readiness, ensuring the armed forces maintain strong operational capabilities during the transition to new helicopters.”

The first batch of upgraded Bell 412s is expected to be delivered to the Norwegian military by 2025.

Maintaining Relevance

The Bell 412 helicopter is equipped with a reliable turboshaft engine that allows a maximum cruise speed of 245 kilometers (152 miles) per hour and an extended operational range of 980 kilometers (608 kilometers).

It can accommodate up to 13 passengers.

The chopper can support various missions, including airborne surveillance, counter-terrorism, emergency medical service, and search and rescue.

Norway first received the Bell 412 in the 1980s. A third of that fleet was later upgraded to the “high performance” version.

Despite previous enhancements, Gunnerud said the helicopters need to undergo further modernization “to stay relevant” on the modern battlefield.

“We are proud to be given the task of upgrading the Norwegian Armed Forces’ helicopters to help increase operational availability. The agreement shows how the industry can assist with expertise and capacity and be a good strategic partner for the Air Force, where there is a need,” Kongsberg official Andre Jægtvik added.

The post Kongsberg to Upgrade Norway’s Bell 412 Multi-Role Helicopters appeared first on The Defense Post.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced a deal to develop naval and air-launched Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) at a plant north of Sydney.

The factory will break ground later this year, producing anti-ship cruise missiles and JSMs that can be fitted to state-of-the-art F-35A aircraft.

“This is about investing in our advanced, high-tech manufacturing industry and developing our sovereign defense industrial base,” said Conroy.

A defense official told AFP the factory would begin production in 2027 and would be capable of producing 100 missiles a year.

Both missiles were developed by Norway’s Kongsberg.

Concerns about China’s massive defense spending and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have led many US allies to voice concern about a shortfall in munitions manufacturing capabilities.

Australia is among several Asia-Pacific nations dramatically increasing defense spending.

Asian defense spending reached a record $510 billion in 2023, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank.

Australia has launched a string of ambitious defence projects, including the development of a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

The post Australia Launches $570M Plan to Build Missiles Domestically appeared first on The Defense Post.

Deliveries will run from 2025 through 2026, with production taking place at Kitron’s facility in Arendal, Norway.

“We are very pleased to announce this continuation of our long-term collaboration with Kongsberg, which confirms Kitron’s previous communication about increased demand in the Defence and Aerospace sectors, which particularly affect our Norwegian operations,” Kitron VP Nordics & North America region Hans Petter Thomassen said.

Naval Strike Missile

The Kongsberg anti-ship and land-attack missile has been in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy since 2012.

In addition, the militaries of Poland, Germany, the US, and the UK have also procured it.

The missile is capable of striking targets over 200 kilometers (124 miles) away and features greater maneuverability and sea-skimming capabilities.

It is also equipped with inertial, GPS, and terrain-reference navigation and employs an imaging infrared system for terminal homing.

The post Kitron Receives $47M Naval Strike Missile Electronics Contract appeared first on The Defense Post.

The National Maneuver Air Defence System (NOMADS) has drawn lessons from the Ukraine war, offering protection against drones, cruise missiles, and fixed and rotating-wing aircraft.

“NOMADS can defend against small, short-range targets such as drones and cruise missiles, providing unique protection against threats like those currently seen in Ukraine,” executive vice president of Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Kjetil Reiten Myhra said.

“Its configuration is designed for rapid movement over rough terrain and with unprecedented into-action-time.”

National Maneuver Air Defence System

It consists of a SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense) module mounted on an armored vehicle. The system is vehicle-agnostic.

“This module integrates key command and control functions and applications from the medium-range NASAMS system and includes a passive seeker missile and an AESA radar,” Kongsberg explained.

Additional features include a radar with identification friend or foe and a remote weapon station for self-protection.

Delivered and Tested 

NOMADS is networked and integrated into NATO Integrated Air & Missile Defence and is adaptable to any NATO-compatible ground-based air defense mission or unit.

The system was developed for the Norwegian Army and has already been delivered and tested by the service.

The post Kongsberg Unveils Maneuverable Short-Range Air Defense System appeared first on The Defense Post.

Australia procured the Kongsberg anti-ship missile in January 2023 as a replacement for the Harpoon on the navy’s Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers.

Several warships of both classes have already been integrated with the missile, Australian Defence reported, citing the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.

“This year we have fitted Naval Strike Missiles to the fleet, not all vessels, but we have commenced that activity,” the outlet quoted Hammond as saying, without specifying the upgraded vessels.  

Missile Features

The missile features a range of 200 kilometers (124 miles) and greater maneuverability.

It has excellent sea-skimming capabilities and uses inertial, GPS, and terrain-reference navigation. 

Additionally, it employs an imaging infrared system for terminal homing, making spoofing and radio frequency jamming redundant.

Tomahawks to Enter Service This Year

A longer-range Tomahawk cruise missile will enter service with the Royal Australian Navy later this year, according to Hammond.

Over 200 Tomahawks were procured in 2023 for $830 million to arm the fleet of Hobart destroyers.

“By the end of this year, we’ll go from a legacy fleet with a maximum range weapon in the vicinity of 200km to the incorporation of the Tomahawk capability with a maximum range in excess of 2,500km,” Australian Defence quoted Hammond as saying.

Additionally, the Raytheon missile will be outfitted with the country’s Virginia class submarines, which are scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s.

A feasibility study is being conducted to outfit the missile with six future Hunter class frigates as well.

The post Australian Navy Arms Hobart Class Destroyer With Naval Strike Missile appeared first on The Defense Post.

Kongsberg will produce the missiles for $141 million in Norway through August 31, 2026.

The production Lot 1 contract includes JSM all-up rounds, containers, and test equipment, with $69 million being allocated for fiscal 2024.

The number of missiles to be purchased was not stated. However, the service said in 2023 it was planning to procure 268 JSMs over the next five years, including 48 in 2024.

“The selection of JSMs by both the USAF and Royal Norwegian Air Force also fully supports NATO’s vision for interchangeability of equipment between allied nations,” said Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace President Eirik Lie.

Joint Strike Missile

An enlarged air-launched version of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile, the JSM was adapted for deployment on the F-35A/C during the missile’s first development phase.

The US Air Force operates the F-35A, while the US Marines operate the F-35C. 

The Lockheed Martin aircraft could carry it both internally and externally for a range of strike missions against marine and land-based targets.

According to The War Zone, the JSM is an interim stand-off anti-ship capability until the F-35A gets the larger AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). 

Additionally, the missile’s smaller size allows it to fit inside the jet’s internal weapons bay, helping the aircraft maintain its stealth, the outlet added.

Meant for F-35

Kongsberg developed the missile in cooperation with Raytheon.

It is the only anti-ship cruise missile that can fit inside the F-35A/C’s internal weapons bay.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force is integrating the JSM with its F-35A fleet, with similar plans from Japan and Finland.

Features

The missile features a range of 350 miles (563 kilometers), a speed of Mach 0.7 – 0.95, a length of 4 meters (13 feet), and weighs 407 kilograms (897 pounds).

It carries a 260-pound (118-kilogram) warhead and uses GPS and inertial navigation for guidance.

Additionally, it uses an imaging infrared seeker for precise targeting during the flight’s terminal phase.

The passive seeker’s immunity to radio frequency jamming enhances the missile’s effectiveness.

The post US Air Force F-35s to Get Norwegian Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles appeared first on The Defense Post.

The partnership will help the three companies share decades of missile development experience to create maneuverable long-distance missiles that can also be offered to allied customers in the future.

The companies will also collaborate with the Norwegian and German Defense Forces, as well as national research organizations, to determine the 3SM Tyrfing’s features and capabilities.

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch stressed the importance of combining the companies’ expertise in creating a highly advanced missile.

“We are proud having established a team of the best experts of our companies, who complement each other, trust each other and contribute their individual knowledge and skills. Together, we will develop a game changer with 3SM that none of us could develop on our own,” Rauch said.

The missile is expected to be delivered by 2035.

Creating Stronger Capabilities

The companies have agreed that despite being in the project’s initial design phase, the 3SM Tyrfing program will be able to create a long-range strike missile that can neutralize future surface threats.

“As we have seen over the last 2 years, stand-off weapons are crucial for credible deterrence and defence,” MBDA Deutschland Managing Director Thomas Gottschild said.

Once operational, the missiles will be used by Norwegian and German vessels as a complement to their Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs).

It is expected to match the NSM’s maximum speed of Mach 0.93 (714 miles/1,148 kilometers per hour) and operational range of more than 120 miles (190 kilometers).

The post Kongsberg, Diehl, MBDA Team Up to Develop 3SM Tyrfing Missile appeared first on The Defense Post.

Germany’s Diehl Defence, a consortium of Norway’s Kongsberg and US Raytheon, and Europe’s MBDA have been invited to submit bids by mid-July.

All bidders must meet the military, technical, and logistical requirements. 

Criteria

Additional criteria include an in-use, proven system, possibility of future cooperation on a variety of projects with the winner, and the involvement of Swiss industry, European Defense Review wrote, citing a request for information from the arms procurement agency.

Selection is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

Air Defenses Need Upgrade

The intended procurement is expected to upgrade the Swiss Army’s anti-aircraft defense systems, according to the European Defense Review. 

Some of the systems are nearing their end of service life and others, such as Stinger, lack the range to take out modern fighter jets.

Meanwhile, Bern last year announced its intention to join the Germany-led European Sky Shield ground-based air defense project. 

The post Switzerland Announces Medium-Range Air Defense System Procurement appeared first on The Defense Post.

The terminal features flexible architecture and can simultaneously manage operator controls and highly secure communications of several THOR combat net radios.

Designed for optimal use with radio, it is also compatible with other communications platforms such as satellites, 5G, and fixed infrastructure.

Part of project Mime, the contract is linked with the delivery of the THOR radio systems and a serial production contract is expected to follow.

Project Mime

The Mime project seeks to enhance the armed forces’ operational effectiveness through increased deliveries of information communication technology.

It comprises procurement of THOR systems and modernizing tactical management systems.

As part of the first phase of the program, Kongberg was awarded a 320-million Norwegian kroner ($29 million) contract in 2023 to develop tactical radio equipment and low-volume production of THOR Vehicle Radio Modules.

The post Kongsberg to Develop THOR Remote Control Terminal for Norwegian Military appeared first on The Defense Post.