AMRAAM-ER missile set to qualify for the NASAMS launch system. Credit: PRNewswire / Raytheon Company.

Raytheon has completed wind tunnel testing on the new extended-range (ER) variant of the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM).

Over 1,700 rigorous wind tunnel tests were conducted on the ground-launched AMRAAM-ER missile so far.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Completion of the wind tunnel testing marks a huge step forward for the missile’s qualification for integration with the national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS) launcher.

It also moves the new weapon closer to production, which will provide troops with an enhanced ground-based air defence capability.

Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice-president Kim Ernzen said: “During these tests, we put AMRAAM-ER through a full range of potential flight conditions to validate the missile’s future performance on the battlefield.

“Featuring ‘bigger’ rocket motor and smarter flight control algorithms, the AMRAAM-ER missile is designed to intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes.”

“Raytheon is developing this missile to enhance ground-based air defence for our customers worldwide.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

During testing, Raytheon engineers gathered data that will now be analysed to validate and modernise the AMRAAM-ER missile’s aerodynamic models to boost its performance.

Featuring ‘bigger’ rocket motor and smarter flight control algorithms, the AMRAAM-ER missile is designed to intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes.

It is set to expand the NASAMS engagement envelope with a 50% increase in maximum range and 70% increase in maximum altitude.

NASAMS is jointly manufactured by Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. It helps identify, engage and destroy threats such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and emerging cruise missile threats.

The surface-based short and medium-range air defence system is widely used in Nato and is also currently in production for Oman.

In October 2016, the AMRAAM-ER missile was flight-tested from the NASAMS. It completed extensive lab testing in 2015.