– Mechanized Short-Range Air Defence with unique capabilities

In a world characterized by geopolitical uncertainty, the advancement of defence technology is becoming increasingly crucial. The NOMADS development project is a triangular collaboration between Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG), the Norwegian Armed Forces, and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.

NOMADS consists of a SHORAD (Short Range Air Defence) module mounted on an armoured mechanized vehicle with high off-road mobility. This module integrates key command and control functions and applications from the medium-range NASAMS system and includes a passive seeker missile and an AESA radar from Weibel Scientific in Denmark. The system is capable of detecting and intercepting drones, UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters, and aircraft.

The NOMADS units tested and delivered to the end user in Norway have received excellent feedback.

The long-term plan of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, and the need to further strengthen the country’s air defence, suggest that orders for NOMADS will increase in the future. Additionally, there is growing international demand for the capabilities that NOMADS offers.

Expectations are high both before and after the official launch of NOMADS, scheduled for June at this year’s Eurosatory in Paris, the largest international exhibition for military land systems. The vehicle will be showcased as a key component of KONGSBERG’s exhibit. 

It is expected that especially NASAMS customers in the Nordic countries and other NATO nations will show interest in this highly mobile short-range air defence system.

What makes NOMADS unique?
NOMADS is tailor-made to protect manoeuvring army forces, transportation routes, command centres, and logistical areas in a dynamic land combat environment. The system's high mobility, manoeuvrability, firepower, and level of protection meet the standards for mechanized units, which NOMADS is designed to provide air defence coverage for.

Furthermore, the air defence capability with command and control (C2), radar with IFF, and missiles are combined on a single platform. This enables autonomous air defence operations with NOMADS both day and night. Two or more NOMADS vehicles can operate within a network, allowing for highly effective coordination and concentrated firepower across a larger area.

NOMADS can seamlessly integrate with NASAMS and other air defence systems to provide layered coverage using a mix of missiles and sensors, as well as enhanced situational awareness within the network. The missile used in NOMADS is also deployed on fighter jets and in NASAMS, making it a universal missile. The configuration is modular, and the SHORAD module in NOMADS can be mounted on various vehicles, as it is vehicle-agnostic.

In addition to its armour, NOMADS is equipped with a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) for self-protection. The RWS includes its own sensor suite, which can also be used against ground targets and simple air targets. The vehicle used in NOMADS, the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) G5, was developed by Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH (FFG) in Germany based on specifications from the Norwegian Armed Forces.

While NASAMS is a mobile air defence system primarily designed to protect bases, cities, airports, and other strategically important areas and critical infrastructure, NOMADS is intended to be deployed closer to and at the frontline. When facing an enemy and under heavy artillery fire, self-protection in the form of armour is crucial. Its protective capabilities include defence against both landmines and artillery. NOMADS can defend against small, short-range targets as drones and cruise missiles, providing unique protection against threats like those currently seen in Ukraine. Its configuration is designed for rapid movement over rough terrain and with unprecedented into-action-time. 

Several current NASAMS customers are expected to incorporate NOMADS into their defence systems and the system will be configured to use the same missile as NASAMS, simplifying logistics and ensuring interoperability. This will be crucial if the threat level increases.

The ability for the NOMADS SHORAD module to utilize NASAMS missiles enhances overall readiness, protects critical infrastructure, and makes NOMADS a vital asset for the Army's frontline forces. The combination of different systems ensures the best protection. It's not just about range, but also about handling various threats. Therefore, we extend our spectre of products to be optimized for different tasks, and NOMADS provides the necessary mobility for this purpose.

The Norwegian Army finally receives enhanced air defence
"For the Army to effectively engage high-tech adversaries, modern air defence systems are essential. Today's contract signing marks a cornerstone in reestablishing air defence capabilities for the Army. Air defence plays a pivotal role in our strategic defence plans for Norway,” stated Major General and Chief of the Army at the time, Eirik Kristoffersen, during the contract signing with KONGSBERG in October 2019."

The Norwegian Armed Forces had set numerous high and ambitious expectations for the system's performance, all of which have been fulfilled. The project's execution has been marked by effective communication between the customer and the supplier, with both parties sharing the common objective of delivering a highly mobile, adequate air defence system to the Army. The collaboration with proficient subcontractors, who have demonstrated exceptional quality and execution capabilities, has also been instrumental in achieving a successful outcome.

An exciting reception now awaits in the international market.
“It has been both fun and rewarding to contribute to this process. We have involved the end user from day one, which is crucial for ensuring that we meet the specifications and achieve the desired outcome,” says Ove Jørn Luktvasslimo, Manager of Business Development at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, who has experience as an Army officer.

KONGSBERG’s air defence expertise, particularly with NASAMS, has been central to the development of NOMADS. However, innovation has also been crucial to meet the Armed Forces' requirements. Many skilled employees and resources from various fields have been involved in both the development and production phases. The process has undoubtedly been challenging, with new issues, uncertainties, and risks. Nevertheless, it has been highly motivating to use our expertise in this way, think creatively, and find solutions. The project has generated significant internal enthusiasm, with many eager to get involved and proud of what we have achieved.

"First and foremost, it's always a bit special to develop capability for our own armed forces, and it has been incredibly rewarding to collaborate with the project team and especially with the customer," says Ole Andre Øverland, Project Technician at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. He expresses pride in being part of the team that has worked on the development and production leading up to the first delivery.

“The great thing about this project is that we have further enhanced our expertise in integrating comprehensive, newly developed software and hardware. A significant part of the work has been ensuring that the software and hardware function seamlessly together and cooperate effectively,” says Software Manager Hege Braathen Nilsen.

With extensive experience at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, she finds it inspiring to shift focus from maintenance projects to working on innovation, development, and creating new code.