Norwegian Kongsberg has entered into a contract with Australian Defense Ministry, for integration of a Australian RF Seeker on to the Ko...
Norwegian Kongsberg has entered into a contract with Australian Defense Ministry, for integration of a Australian RF Seeker on to the Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM).
The deal worth $17.5 million will enable Kongsberg to integrate the passive radio frequency (RF) Seeker developed by BAE Systems Australia which can locate targets on the basis of their electronic signature.
Kongsberg is developing the precision strike JSM anti-ship missile for internal carriage onboard the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter.
BAE Systems has already delivered a pre-production passive RF sensor to Kongsberg to perform fit checks, system integration and support flight-testing in a development-standard missile. The combination of this RF sensor with Kongsberg's existing imaging infrared seeker provides a significant enhancement in operational capability.
BAE Systems will also provide a low-cost, light weight and highly sensitive electronic support measure (ESM) receiver for incorporation on JSM which will feature an additional land attack and littoral attack capability as well as a two-way communications line for target adjustment and inflight termination.
The deal is part of Australian selection of the JSM missile to arm its F-35 fighter jets.
The JSM cruise missile powered by a turbojet engine, is designed to take on high value, heavily defended targets from standoff ranges of up to 200 km.
Using a combination of advanced materials, ability to fly low altitude, terrain hugging flight path, the JSM can evade most of the advanced counter measures currently employed.
JSM development was initiated in 2008 and is expected to be completed in 2017. The missile was first trialed from a F-16 fighter in 2015 from the Utah test range in U.S.
Norway intends to procure up to 52 F-35A aircraft and first of which is scheduled to arrive in the country in 2017. Norway’s first four aircraft delivered from 2015 end, are currently based at the F-35 International Pilot Training Centre at Luke Air Force Base Arizona.
Australia has so far committed to procuring 72 F-35A, out of a planned 100, with the first two aircraft delivered for training in 2014.
