Raytheon’s AIM-120C7 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) have been test-fired from the national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS) during the Thor’s Hammer Exercise.
The exercise was a month-long operation carried out by the armed forces from Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Turkey. It marked the completion of developmental testing for the AIM-120C7.
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During the task, the missiles were fired from F-16 and F/A-18 fighter aircraft and NASAMS ground launchers. These missiles achieved five successful shots on a variety of profiles and targets.
Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice-president Mike Jarrett said: "AMRAAM is the world’s most advanced air dominance weapon, and these successful tests once again demonstrate the missile’s extraordinary level of effectiveness and reliability.
"Intercepting all five targets from different platforms showcased AMRAAM’s versatility across different scenarios for US and allied forces worldwide."
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems business Integrated Air and Missile Defense vice-president Ralph Acaba said: "The Thor’s Hammer Exercise allowed the Norwegian Air Force to validate their recently upgraded NASAMS system. This includes the introduction of the high mobility launcher and the Finnish Defense Forces to qualify their newly fielded NASAMS system with the AIM-120C7 missile in a variety of realistic battle scenarios.
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By GlobalData"NASAMS is one of the most easily manned, trained, and maintained systems in the world."
While Norway used a NASAMS high mobility launcher to fire one AIM-120C7, Finland and Switzerland shot missiles from a NASAMS canister launcher and an F-18 aircraft.
Turkish Military successfully fired one missile from an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
The AIM-120C-7 has been under development since 1998. It is an upgraded variant of the AIM-120C AMRAAM and features extended range and enhancements in homing capability.
The NASAMS is jointly manufactured by Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. It is a distributed and networked medium-to-long range air-defence system designed to defend high-value civilian and military assets on the ground against air threats.
Locations where the system is currently operational are the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Spain and the US National Capital Region.
