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October 13, 2022
National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)
Background
aircraft. It features an X-Band, 360-degree phased array air
As part of past U.S. arms and equipment transfers to
defense radar with a 75-kilometer (approximately 47-mile)
Ukraine, the only dedicated air defense system provided has
range to identify targets. Sentinel is equipped with an
been the FIM-92 Stinger man-portable, disposable, short-
electronic counter-counter-measure (ECCM) system that
range air defense system. The Biden Administration has
includes two subsystems—an identification friend or foe
announced plans to provide the National Advanced
(IFF) subsystem for positive identification of friendly
Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Ukraine to
aircraft, and a noncooperative target recognition capabilities
protect against certain Russian air threats. NASAMS
subsystem to identify enemy aircraft. Sentinel is trailer-
increases not only the range at which air threats can be
mounted and pulled by either a High Mobility Multipurpose
engaged, but also the range at which air threats can be
Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or an M1082 Family of
detected and tracked. NASAMS is a reloadable system and
Medium Tactical Vehicles truck. The United States has
provides a capability to engage multiple targets, whereas
already provided Ukraine a number of Sentinel radars and
the Stinger can engage only a single target.
tactical vehicles, so Ukrainian forces should be familiar
with these systems.
What is the National Advanced Surface-
to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)?
Figure 2. AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar
The National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System
(NASAMS) (Figure 1) is a mid-range air defense system
designed and developed jointly by Raytheon (United States)
and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Norway).
Figure 1. Notional NASAMS Unit
Source: Raytheon Missiles & Defense website.
Source: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace website.
AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missile (AMRAAM)
Militaries can deploy NASAMS to identify, engage, and
According to Raytheon, the AMRAAM (Figure 3) is a
destroy fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and
dual-role missile that offers operational flexibility in air-to-
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is designed to protect
air and surface-launch engagements. In the air-to-air mode,
high-value assets and population centers against air-to-
AMRAAM’s advanced active guidance sensor and seeker
surface threats. According to the Missile Defense Advocacy
allow it to quickly find targets in challenging environments.
Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit missile defense education
In the surface-launch mode, NASAMS permits countries to
organization:
use the same missile in either role with no modifications.
Reportedly, AMRAAMs employed by NASAMS have a
NASAMS reached operational capability in 1994
40-kilometer (approximately 25-mile) range, and longer-
and was first deployed by the Royal Norwegian Air
range missiles are currently under development.
Force. The system can engage 72 targets
AMRAAMs are subject to the Department of Defense’s
simultaneously in active and passive modes and,
(DOD’s) Enhanced End-Use Monitoring (EEUM), which is
using active seeker missiles, can intercept targets
used to verify that defense articles transferred by the United
beyond visual range. The NASAMS is armed with
States to foreign recipients are procured in accordance with
three launchers, each carrying up to six missiles.
transfer agreements and used only for their intended
purposes.
NASAMS consists of three primary components: the
AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar, the AIM-120 Advanced
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), and the
Fire Distribution Center (FDC).
AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar
According to the U.S. Army, the Sentinel Radar (Figure 2)
can detect UAVs, cruise missiles, and fixed and rotary-wing
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National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)
Figure 3. Surface-Launched AMRAAM
August 26, 2022, the U.S. Army awarded Raytheon
Missiles & Defense a $182 million contract for delivery of
two NASAMS batteries, including training and logistical
support to Ukrainian forces. On September 27, 2022,
Reuters reported that, despite earlier reports that Ukraine
had received NASAMS, the United States would not start
delivering NASAMS to Ukraine for another two months
(end of November-early December 2022). According to an
October 5, 2022, Politico article, “It will likely take time
for those weapons to arrive. Western countries are reluctant
to give up their own advanced missile defense capabilities.
Plus, contracting, building and training crews on how to
operate them takes years.”
Source: Raytheon Missile & Defense website.
Potential Oversight Issues for Congress
As Congress continues to monitor the conflict in Ukraine
Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Center (FDC)
and considers additional military assistance for Ukraine,
According to Kongsberg, its FDC (Figure 4) is a proven
some potential oversight issues include the following:
and fielded air defense and surface-to-surface missile
(SSM) command and control module. Kongsberg claims its
Russian air attacks against Ukrainian cities, military and
FDC is fully interoperable with national, EU, and NATO
civilian facilities, and military units have employed
forces.
UAVs, cruise missiles, and fixed and rotary-wing
aircraft, as well as a variety of ballistic missiles. While it
Figure 4. NASAMS FDC
is not explicitly stated by the U.S. government or
developers, does NASAMS have any capability to
detect, intercept, and destroy ballistic missiles? If not,
are there plans for the United States and/or NATO
nations to provide Ukraine with a ballistic missile
defense capability or system?
How long will it take to supply all eight NASAMS
batteries to Ukraine and train operators and maintenance
personnel?
Given increased Russian air and missile attacks against
Ukraine, are the eight NASAMS batteries pledged by
Source: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace website.
the United States adequate to defend Ukrainian
NASAMS Use
interests? If not, how many NASAMS batteries are
needed? Does the United States have the ability to
According to Raytheon, NASAMS is owned by 12
provide these systems without undue risk to U.S.
countries and has been integrated into the U.S. National
national security?
Capital Region’s air defense system since 2005. In addition
to the United States, Norway, Finland, Spain, the
Is NASAMS fully interoperable with other non-
Netherlands, Oman, Lithuania, Indonesia, Australia, Qatar,
NATO/EU air and missile defense systems being used
Hungary, and one undisclosed country employ NASAMS
by or supplied to Ukraine? If not, could this result in
for homeland defense and defense of other critical assets.
gaps in protection that might be exploited by the
According to Kongsberg, NASAMS’s radar and launcher
Russians?
elements can be deployed over a large area separated by
more than 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) from the FDC,
Does the Biden Administration have a long-term
providing extended area coverage. Another benefit is that
sustainment plan for NASAMS? Are there estimates as
dispersing NASAMS elements can potentially increase
to how much sustainment might cost? What authorities
survivability against enemy air and ground attacks.
does the Administration plan to use for long-term
NASAMS Provided to Ukraine
NASAMS sustainment?
On July 1, 2022, DOD announced it would provide two
Additional Information
NASAMS batteries to Ukraine through DOD’s Ukraine
CRS In Focus IF12040, U.S. Security Assistance to
Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Defense items
Ukraine, by Christina L. Arabia, Andrew S. Bowen, and
provided under USAI require congressional notification at
Cory Welt.
least 15 days prior to transfer unless the Secretary of
Defense determines extraordinary circumstances exist that
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
impact U.S. national security. On August 24, 2022, the
Biden Administration announced it would provide eight
IF12230
total NASAMS batteries to Ukraine through USAI. On
https://crsreports.congress.gov
National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)
Disclaimer
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12230 · VERSION 1 · NEW