Rewritten – September 2006

Kongsberg NSM

1. New Surface Missile (NSM – Naval Strike Missile): On 23 December 1996, the NMC awarded Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS (KDA) a US$160.6M contract to KDA to develop a new surface-to-surface missile (SSM), designated the Naval Strike Missile (NSM -- SMP 6026). KDA subsequently teamed with Aerospatiale Matra and Microturbo to develop the NSM. The development phase of the project ran through April 2003 with testing continuing through 2006. Delivery of the first production NSMs will probably begin by the close of 2007.

The NSM is designed for coastal water operations with significantly better performance characteristics than the existing Penguin surface-to-surface (SSM). Special emphasis has been given to improving the performance of the passive IR seeker, increasing the range to 100km (54nm), and reducing the missile’s observables. The NSM is not intended as a replacement for the Penguin. The NSM will arm the Fridtjof Nansen frigates and the Skjold class FAC. The Hauk class will keep the Penguin as its main armament until decommissioned.