Summary of "Australia's New Missile Defence System Will Blow You Away"

Overview

Australia has selected an enhanced NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) — a network‑centric, short‑to‑medium range ground‑based air‑defence system (Kongsberg/Raytheon origin) — under LAND 19 Phase 2B to replace the man‑portable RBS‑70. The program cost is approximately AUD 2.5 billion. NASAMS will operate both independently and as part of the ADF’s Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense, sharing data via the Joint Air Battle Management System.

Role and purpose

Designed to defeat UAVs/drones, cruise missiles and aircraft.
Can fire a variety of air‑to‑air missile types adapted for ground‑launch (AIM‑120 AMRAAM family, AMRAAM‑ER, and integration of shorter‑range AIM‑9X Sidewinder variants).
Provides layered, networked air defence with improved range, sensor fusion and integration into joint ADF systems.

Key capabilities and components

Fire Distribution Center (FDC) / Advanced Fire Control and Command
- Centralized and autonomous threat evaluation, engagement coordination and firing recommendations.
- Includes Kongsberg air‑defence console.
Radars
- Active 3D radar(s) for 360° surveillance, tracking, target identification and situational awareness.
Electro‑optical / multi‑spectral targeting
- Live video, infrared imagery and laser rangefinder (Raytheon AN/AS 52 multi‑spectral targeting system mentioned).
Missile launchers (two Australian variants)
- Mark II canister launcher
  - Six ready‑to‑fire missiles per launcher.
  - Can hold mixed AMRAAM variants and fire missiles within seconds of each other (multi‑target engagement).
- Raytheon High Mobility Launcher (HML)
  - Four parallel rails mounted on Australian‑built Hawkei 4x4 protected mobility vehicle.
  - Improves access in difficult terrain.
Missiles
- AIM‑120 AMRAAM family (including AMRAAM‑ER).
- AIM‑9X Sidewinder Block II variants supported or being integrated for shorter‑range engagements.

Australian‑unique hardware and industrial integration

Strong emphasis on local industry contributions and sovereign capability: Australian‑designed radars and vehicles, and major manufacturing work packaged domestically.
CEA Technologies supplying two radar variants:
- CEAtech (tactical / fire‑control)
  - Hawkei‑mounted, four fixed faces for 360° medium‑range coverage and fire‑control.
- CEAOPS (operational)
  - Rheinmetall MAN 77 heavy truck‑mounted with a large rotating array for long‑range multi‑band surveillance and smaller fixed arrays for 360° medium‑range coverage.
  - Provides early warning, IFF and secondary fire control.
Prime systems integrator: Raytheon Australia; Kongsberg Defense Australia delivered FDCs.
Other Australian suppliers: Alyx (cabling), Darren Mount Technologies and Zenith Custom Creations (shelter subsystems).
Raytheon’s Centre for Joint Integration (Mawson Lakes, Adelaide)
- AUD 50M precinct with integration/training labs and ~6,500 m² light manufacturing/assembly.
- Supports sovereignty and local jobs (200+ employees, expanding toward 300).
Program target: secure more than AUD 1 billion of work for Australian industry.

Operational testing and demonstration

November 2023: 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery conducted the first Australian live‑fire using ground‑launched AIM‑120 AMRAAM, destroying target drones at about 15 km.
Tactical control officer Lt. Matthew Hall described the launch experience as:

“more like watching a video game.”

Analysis and key takeaways

Significant capability upgrade over the RBS‑70: networked, vehicle‑mounted radars and launchers, multi‑missile options, improved range and sensor fusion, and integration into ADF joint systems.
Focus on sovereign manufacturing and integration reduces reliance on foreign supply and builds the local industrial base.
Balanced approach: off‑the‑shelf Kongsberg/Raytheon architecture combined with Australian‑developed sensors, vehicles and integration work.