Kongsberg Launches New Mobile Short-Range Air Defence System

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has launched the National Manoeuvre Air Defence System (NOMADS), a mobile, ground-based air defence system engineered to safeguard army manoeuvre units near the frontline against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.

Developed for the Norwegian Army, NOMADS is built around a SHORAD (Short Range Air Defence) module, which is mounted on an armoured mechanized vehicle with off-road capabilities. This module incorporates essential command and control functions and applications from the medium-range NASAMS system, featuring a passive seeker missile and an AESA radar. NOMADS is capable of detecting and intercepting drones, UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters, and aircraft.

In addition to its protective armour, NOMADS is equipped with a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) for self-defence. The system is vehicle agnostic, allowing for flexibility in deployment across various platforms.

“NOMADS can defend against small, short-range targets like drones and cruise missiles, providing protection against threats similar to those currently seen in Ukraine. Its design allows for rapid movement over rough terrain,” stated Kjetil Reiten Myhra, Executive Vice President Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The NOMADS project is a collaborative effort between KONGSBERG, the Norwegian Armed Forces, and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency. The units tested and delivered to the end user in Norway have received excellent feedback.

NOMADS is specifically designed to protect manoeuvring army forces, transportation routes, command centres, and logistical areas within dynamic combat environments.