AMRAAM-Extended Range - AMRAAM-ER

The AMRAAM-Extended Range missile is a new, ground-launched solution that will intercept targets at longer distances and higher altitudes. The AMRAAM-ER missile gets its boost in range from integration of Raytheon's Evolved Sea Sparrow missile ESSM® missile rocket motor and smarter flight control algorithms. Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, the AMRAAM-ER missile will be integrated into the NASAMS launcher to provide increased air defense protection in the medium range air defense market.

By 2015 Raytheon had begun development on an extended range variant of the combat-proven Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM®). AMRAAM ER is made up of the front-end of an AMRAAM missile and the back-end – the rocket motor – of ESSM. The configuration gives the missile a 50 percent increase in maximum range and 70 percent increase in maximum altitude. NASAMS can engage target at a maximum altitude of 15 kilometers (50,000 feet) and a maximum range of 33 kilometers, indicating that AMRAAM-ER could engage target at a maximum altitude of about 25 kilometers (85,000 feet) and a maximum range of 50 kilometers..

Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, AMRAAM-ER will enable intercepts at longer range and higher altitudes. "With AMRAAM-ER, Raytheon is rewriting the book on ground-based air defense. The new missile will be even faster and more maneuverable than the current AMRAAM," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "By leveraging many existing AMRAAM components, Raytheon can deliver AMRAAM-ER quickly and affordably with very low risk."

Raytheon will integrate AMRAAM-ER into the NASAMS launcher. NASAMS is the latest and most modern Medium Range Air Defense system. In partnership with KONGSBERG, Raytheon has delivered more than 70 fire units to seven countries. It is the most commonly used Short and Medium Range Air Defense System in NATO. "Combined with the NASAMS launcher, AMRAAM-ER will provide a new level of protection to customers," said Ralph Acaba, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "NASAMS is one of the most easily manned, trained, and maintained systems in the world." Fielded in Norway for more than a decade, NASAMS is operationally deployed in the U.S. National Capital Region, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, and an undisclosed country. It is also in production for Oman under a contract received last year.

Raytheon planned to flight test AMRAAM-ER before the end of 2015. The new extended range version of Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile destroyed a target in its first flight test in Norway on 31 August 2016.