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This weekend, Kongsberg conducted two successful test firings of the NSM (Naval Strike Missile) in California, USA.
The test firings were part of the Norwegian Navy's final approval of the development phase. The tests were conducted in the U.S. because the Americans have a test firing range that allows the missile to be tested over land and sea alike. This is essential for testing several of the missile's functions.
These successful test firings confirm the missile's highly sophisticated features, and capabilities over and above what is currently demonstrated by any anti ship missile.
As planned, the missile is ready for deployment on board the new Nansen class frigates and on the new missile torpedo boats.
About Naval Strike Missile:
The new generation stealth missiles
NSM is the only fourth generation missile in existence as per today. Already chosen by the Royal Norwegian Navy for its new Frigates and fast Patrol Boats, NSM will be fully operational on these new ships when they enter service in 2007.
* Modern warhead ensures effectiveness equal to a much larger missile.
* Weight: approx. 400 kg.
* Range: in excess of 150 km.
* Platforms: Ships, trucks, armoured vehicles, and airborne weapon carriers.
* Designed for littoral waters as well as open sea scenarios.(The advanced design allows the missile to fly around and over landmasses.)
Made of composites, the NSM will be the world's most sophisticated stealth strike missile. Advanced design technology has minimised the missile's signature. Its excellent sea-skimming ability and random manouvres in the terminal phase make it virtually impossible to stop. The imaging infrared seeker is completely passive. Target selection is at the forefront of new technology. That provides NSM with a substantial capacity for autonomous detection and recognition of targets – at sea or on land.
