This article was originally published on Defense Archives on July 31st, 2024.
Last month, Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace unveiled a new Mobile, Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system. Making its debut at the Eurosatory defense trade show in Paris, 𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗦: 𝗡ati𝗢nal 𝗠aneuver 𝗔ir 𝗗efence 𝗦ystem, has been developed following a 2019 contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to fulfill a mobile, short range air defense requirement for the Norwegian Army. Their initial order was for 6 vehicles, of which 3 have already been delivered by Kongsberg. The remaining 3 are due to be delivered in the autumn. System testing was successfully conducted recently on the island of Andøya in northern Norway. Per Kongsberg, they have “received excellent feedback” from the Norwegian military.
NOMADS is actually a vehicle agnostic module and accompanying Command & Control (C2) suite. While Norway operates it (and Kongsberg markets it) on a ACSV G5 from German manufacturer FFG, any vehicle that meets the dimensional & payload requirements could theoretically mount it. The module is comprised of 2 launch canisters, each fitting 2 missiles, and an AESA 3D Radar from Weibel Scientific in Denmark. Mounted on the superstructure, there is also a Remote Weapon Station with day/night & thermal cameras, and a laser range finder.
NOMADS had been developed to fire Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T air to air missile, just like Dieh’s own IRIS-T SLS. While the tests the Norwegian Armed Forces successfully conducted this past summer were with the IRIS-T, NOMADS will actually use a different missile. Due to Diehl’s IRIS-T production being almost entirely dedicated to Ukraine, the Norwegian Army & Kongsberg have opted to switch the primary effector to Raytheon’s AIM-9X-II Sidewinder. AIM-9X-II is of course already integrated with NASAMS 3, which simplifies sustainment.
Last year the US Navy put Raytheon on contract to increase the maximum production capacity of AIM-9X-II from 1400 to 2500. Further to that, Defense One reported last week that Raytheon will hit that target in 2025. This makes Sidewinder a much more suitable interceptor than IRIS-T, as Raytheon will have ample capacity to take on new orders from prospective NOMADS customers. However, it is unclear when Sidewinder will be fully integrated with NOMADS though. The Defense Material Agency confirmed to Defense Archives that the Army will not have Full Operational Capability until sometime between 2026 & 2028. This refers to their air defense units being fully mission capable though, not the technical maturity of NOMADS. Given that AIM-9X-II Sidewinder is already integrated with NASAMS, it should not take long for Raytheon & Kongsberg to conclude that work.
Kongsberg has already announced that several unspecified NASAMS operators are expected to order NOMADS. The Norwegian Army intends to procure additional units for themselves as well, though these plans are not yet approved. NOMADS is fully integrated with NASAMS, and other NATO systems via Link 16. It’s Command & Control systems are derived from Kongsberg’s existing Fire Distribution Center. Kongsberg advertises NOMADS as a battalion & brigade echelon M-SHORAD asset; a complement to NASAMS.
NOMADS is capable of autonomous operations, and networked, with two or more vehicles operating together. The Link 16 integration, VHF & UHF communications and Identification Friend or Foe Mode 5 allow it to integrate with other systems to form a larger air defense network. NOMADS’ autonomous operations capability is of course because of its integrated radar. This, combined with its missiles in a ready to fire configuration, make it a transporter launcher and radar (TLAR) vehicle, like the Russian 9K330 Tor.
The radar is a XENTA-M Series. Kongsberg advertises a detection range is excess of 50 km, which suggests that the M3 or M5 has been used. The XENTA-M is a dual search & track radar with 360-degree coverage. It is capable of detecting fixed & rotary wing aircraft, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems. The Remote Weapon Station is Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR RS4. It mounts a .50 calibre heavy machine gun and provides NOMADS with day/night & thermal cameras, and a laser range finder. There is also an optional RF Directional jammer for additional close-in defense against UAS.
Though few vehicles can boast up to 3 different anti-air effectors in a relatively compact package, NOMADS still has some longing for additional firepower. Just 4 missiles is not a particularly impressive magazine depth; for comparison, the US Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) boasts 18 Sidewinders. Hartpunkt has reported that the Netherlands is interested in procuring up to 18 vehicles, however they are considering how the magazine depth can be increased to accommodate more missiles. The Dutch Armed Forces also intend to utilize the Sidewinder, rather than IRIS-T.
Hartpunkt also adds that the German government is considering procuring NOMADS for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This could be a lone effort, or jointly financed with other European countries. Ukraine certainly has a desperate need for additional air defense systems, especially ones that can help protect front line units, but the lack of magazine depth will be especially problematic there. If this can be overcome, NOMADS may have even more customers lining up. There is a definite lack of this class of vehicle in most NATO armies. There is significant opportunity, and NOMADS’ modularity will be a major selling point for customers who want to utilize indigenous platforms. Kongsberg may have a winner here.