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.

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.

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 NSMs will be used by the Spanish Navy’s F110-class fleet, which were developed and currently under construction by shipbuilding company Navantia.

The missiles will also be implemented on the F100-class ships during their midlife updates. It will replace the navy’s Harpoon anti-ship missiles, scheduled to be phased out by 2030.

The deal is the first missile contract handled by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, the alliance’s main service provider for multinational support solutions.

Opportunities for Cooperation

Kongsberg will also sign a cooperation agreement with Spain’s Directorate General of Armament and Material to develop an industrial plan that will connect the country with its global missile supply chain.

The agreement will include a proposal for the establishment of an NSM maintenance facility at Naval Station Rota in the Cádiz province.

NSM’s Capabilities

Designed as an anti-ship and land-attack missile, the NSM is capable of hitting targets 200 kilometers (120 miles) away.

The missile flies at sea-skimming altitudes, which lowers the probability of it being detected and shot down during its flight. Its high thrust-to-weight ratio allows it to perform advanced terminal maneuvers.

The NSM is favored by countries like Norway and the US as an advanced ship-killing capability.

The post Spain to Equip F100 Frigates With Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles appeared first on The Defense Post.

Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg will lead the development of the SuperSonic Strike Missile Tyrfing, which is expected to be ready by 2035.

Oslo is preparing to initiate and complete the initial design phase and will recommend continuing the project to parliament.

“We need to begin the work today to develop the weapons that will protect us against tomorrow’s threats,” said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram. 

“The new missile will strengthen Norway’s defense capability and ability to fight targets at long distances.”

Naval Strike Missile

The move comes over a decade after Kongsberg began developing the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in the early 2000s.

The NSM was inducted into the Norwegian Armed Forces between 2011 and 2015 and has since been selected by 13 navies.

“The new strike missile project will ensure that Norway retains its position as a world leader in missile production, based on seamless cooperation between industry, governments and research establishments. The project will create new Norwegian jobs, while offering Norway and its allies improved defense capabilities,” Kongsberg President Eirik Lie added.

The post Norway, Germany to Develop Next-Gen Naval Strike Missile appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under a 487-million Norwegian kroner ($45 million) supplemental agreement, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace will supply an undisclosed number of missiles.

The contract delivery schedule was not revealed.

“Kongsberg appreciates the strong collaboration with the FMA (Norwegian Defence Material Agency), and we look forward to continuing to deliver the market-leading Naval Strike Missiles to the Norwegian Navy,” Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace President Eirik Lie said. 

This is the third contract Oslo has signed within two years for the procurement of the anti-ship missile.

Norway signed a $169-million deal in November 2021 and a $61-million agreement in December 2022.

Naval Strike Missile

The Norwegian Navy inducted the $2 million missile in 2012. 

Four more navies have since then bought NSM, including the US Navy.

Poland is the missile’s latest customer, placing a $2-billion order last week.

Features

The 400-kilogram (880-pound) missile can strike a target 200 kilometers (120 miles) away, while the NSM 1A has an added range of 50 kilometers (31 miles).

It features a 120-kilogram (260-pound) warhead and a speed of Mach 0.93.

The missile is lighter than other anti-ship missiles and, together with its airframe design and high thrust-to-weight ratio, provides greater maneuverability, according to the manufacturer.

The missile uses Inertial, GPS, and terrain-reference navigation. 

Additional features include an imaging infrared system for terminal homing and a seeker equipped with autonomous target recognition.

The post Norway Orders Additional Naval Strike Missiles in $45M Deal appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal, worth 8 billion Polish zloty ($2 billion), was signed on the first day of the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in southern Poland.

The anti-ship missile system is expected to boost Warsaw’s coastal defense capabilities along the Baltic Sea.

Baterie systemu Patriot/IBCS, nowe Morskie Jednostki Rakietowe, zestawy rakietowe krótkiego zasięgu Narew czy elementy zestawu Pilica+ i bezzałogowce – to kolejne uzbrojenie, które trafi do Wojska Polskiego w efekcie podpisanych dziś umów podczas targów zbrojeniowych w Kielcach.… pic.twitter.com/qX0wvuXejF

— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) September 5, 2023

Apart from the missiles, Kongsberg will also provide command vehicles, missile launchers, and simulators to the Polish armed forces.

The company will also provide training and technical support to enable Polish military mechanics to conduct maintenance services on home soil.

Deliveries of the NSMs will begin in 2026.

‘Largest Contract to Date’

Kongsberg said the recent agreement with Poland is the largest single contract it received in the company’s history.

It is a testament to the country’s trust and confidence in the NSM and its commitment to ensuring that it has crucial defense capabilities for modern warfare.

The Norwegian firm said it is proud and ready to support Warsaw in defending its territory and citizens.

“The determination demonstrated by the Polish Ministry of National Defence to acquire more NSM is a sign of trust and confirms that our system represents the most effective capability available,” Kongsberg President Eirik Lie stressed.

About the Missile

Norway’s NSM is a sea-skimming, over-the-horizon missile capable of striking targets more than 185 kilometers (115 miles) away.

Regarded as the world’s most advanced naval strike missile, the fifth-generation weapon can be launched from both land- and sea-based platforms.

According to Kongsberg, the missile’s stealth design makes the weapon difficult to detect by enemy radars.

Its advanced seeker system also enables autonomous target recognition and precise strike capability.

The NSM is currently in service with 12 countries.

The post Poland Orders Hundreds of Naval Strike Missiles for $2 Billion appeared first on The Defense Post.

Kongsberg is producing the NSM for the Royal Australian Navy as part of a contract signed with the Australian government earlier this year.

The anti-ship missile is the intended replacement of the Harpoon. 

It is capable of striking targets over 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers/115 miles) away and has stealth and sea-skimming capabilities.

Australia’s Anzac-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers will employ the missile, which will enter service in 2024.

Domestic Production

The Australian composite material manufacturer will commence production in January 2024 from a new purpose-built 3,500 square meters (37,673 square feet) facility in Adelaide.

The contract allows the company to expand its workforce capability and create an additional 35 roles in South Australia.

“The contract with KONGSBERG is a recognition of the deep skills, experience, and expertise that we have cultivated within AEROBOND and across our workforce,” Aerobond founder and managing director Justin Struik said.

“This contract also supports the ongoing development of a Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise for Australia,” Kongsberg Australia general manager John Fry added.

The post Aerobond to Build Australia’s Next Anti-Ship Missile Launcher Canisters appeared first on The Defense Post.

Warsaw operates two NSM systems within its Coastal Missile Squadron, each consisting of two batteries with three missile launch vehicles. Each vehicle carries four missiles.

According to the Polish outlet Defence24, Kyiv is considering buying either an entire NSM system or at least some of its elements.

Long-Range Strike Capability

With a range of over 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers/115 miles), the NSM could provide Ukraine with additional long-range strike capability along with the air-launched Storm Shadow missile.

The 400-kilogram (882 pounds) ground-launched missile is lighter than other anti-ship missiles, and its airframe design and high thrust-to-weight ratio give it greater maneuverability.

Difficult to Intercept

The Kongsberg Defence missile uses composite material for stealth and has excellent sea-skimming capabilities. 

The missile utilizes Inertial, GPS, and terrain-reference navigation. It also employs an imaging infrared system for terminal homing, which makes spoofing and radio frequency jamming redundant.

Moreover, the missile’s seeker is equipped with autonomous target recognition, ensuring the correct target is detected, recognized, and hit at sea or on land.

The post Ukraine Negotiating Naval Strike Missile Purchase With Poland: Report appeared first on The Defense Post.