Full Spectrum Air Defence – The future of integrated airspace protection

Air defence systems are by nature defensive and designed to safeguard people and infrastructure by identifying and neutralising threats in the airspace. Since the emergence of the first rudimentary systems in the early 20th century, air defence has remained a critical component of national security. You don’t win wars with air defence, but you most likely lose without it.

In a world facing increasingly sophisticated threats, advanced air defence systems are essential. The rapidly evolving threats are stressing the air defence systems with increasing volume, advanced tactics and by being hard to detect. Through advanced technology and innovation, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is developing solutions equipped to address complex security challenges – all threats at the same time.

Layered air defence
Today, there is no single air defence system capable of meeting the full range of operational requirements on its own. Instead, a mix of various systems is often deployed – each with different characteristics, suppliers, and force structures – which, in combination, can result in unreasonably high life-cycle costs. The NASAMS air defence system is different.

A layered air defence system forms part of a comprehensive air defence structure, where national and allied command and control elements, air surveillance, early warning, and airborne platforms all contribute to the protection of the airspace.

NASAMS is integrated into data networks via terrestrial infrastructure or tactical data links, ensuring effective resource utilisation within a layered air defence framework. FSAD is built on the principle of layered mix – very short, short, medium, and long range – with each tier designed to address specific types of threats with overlapping effect.

From drones to ballistic missiles – we defend every layer
The objective of FSAD is to integrate these layers into a unified architecture, where systems can share data, communicate, and operate seamlessly together with only a handful of operators.



Based on the strength of the NASAMS architecture
FSAD is an ambition and a strategy being refined. It is not a distant vision. The technology already exists, and NASAMS forms its foundation. With an open and flexible architecture, the system is designed to evolve in step with emerging needs. The command and control unit serves as a central hub, where various sensors, launch systems, and effectors can be seamlessly integrated. This is made possible through a modular approach to both software and hardware, enabling new capabilities to be added without the need for extensive restructuring.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is actively working on solutions that leverage these opportunities. By building on the existing NASAMS architecture, air defence capabilities can be expanded and enhanced without the need to develop entirely new systems from the ground up.

By combining radars, missiles, and launch systems with proven capabilities, NASAMS can be expanded to address a broader spectrum of threats – including tactical ballistic missiles. The objective is for networked NASAMS units to be capable of executing a full range of missions.

The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) was developed in the early 1990s in cooperation with Raytheon and the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Since its inception, the NASAMS legacy has been continuously modernised to meet evolving capability and technology requirements, and today it plays a central role in the air defence of 13 nations.