Kongsberg, a leading defense and aerospace company, showcased its cutting-edge technologies and solutions including the Naval Strike Missile at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2023.
The Naval Strike Missile at LIMA 2023, Langkawi. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a weapon system designed for long-range, all-weather, anti-ship operations developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
With a mass of 400 kg (880 lb) when equipped with a booster, or 350 kg (770 lb) without the booster, the NSM strikes a balance between agility and power.
Its length measures 3.96 m (13 ft) with the booster attached and 3.48 m (11 ft 5 in) for the bare missile. When stowed, it has a width of 700 mm (2 ft 4 in), which expands to 1.36 m (4 ft 6 in) when its wings are deployed.
The warhead of the NSM is a titanium-cased explosive designed for penetrating blasts and controlled fragmentation. It weighs 120 kg (260 lb), making it highly effective against a variety of targets.
To propel this formidable weapon, the NSM utilizes a Microturbo TRI-40 turbojet engine coupled with a solid rocket booster, providing the necessary thrust for its operations.
The NSM boasts an operational range exceeding 200 km (110 nmi; 120 mi) for the standard NSM variant, while the NSM 1A variant extends this range to an impressive 250 km (130 nmi; 160 mi).
Its flight altitude can be adjusted, allowing it to skim the sea's surface if necessary. When it comes to speed, the NSM can achieve a maximum velocity of Mach 0.93, equivalent to 316 m/s (1,040 ft/s).
To ensure precision and accuracy, the NSM is equipped with a sophisticated guidance system. This system includes GPS-aided INS (Inertial Navigation System) known as GAINS, a laser altimeter, and TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching). These technologies work together to guide the missile towards its intended target with remarkable accuracy.
The launch platforms for the Naval Strike Missile include naval ships and land-based vehicles. Its versatility allows it to be employed from various platforms, ensuring its adaptability to different operational scenarios.
