Cruise Missile
Naval Strike Missile (NSM / JSM)
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a sea-skimming anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile made by Kongsberg in Norway, in service since 2012. Its air-launched version, the JSM, fits inside the F-35A, and the missile is now used by around nine countries.
Norway|Kongsberg Defence & AerospaceWhat Is the Naval Strike Missile? Overview, History and Development
Kongsberg developed the NSM to replace the Penguin and Harpoon-class weapons, and it entered Norwegian Navy service in 2012 on Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates and Skjold-class corvettes. It is about 3.95 m long, weighs 407 kg and carries a 125 kg penetrating warhead with a programmable fuze. It flies at about Mach 0.9, with terminal manoeuvres and an imaging infrared seeker with a target-recognition database. Its shaped airframe lowers radar visibility.
Range is commonly cited at 185 km or more, while the JSM exceeds about 275 km. Customers include Norway, the US, Germany, Poland, Australia, Spain, Romania, Malaysia and Latvia. The US Navy chose it for its Littoral Combat Ships and Constellation-class frigates with Raytheon as partner, and the US Marine Corps fields it on the NMESIS launcher. Poland has used it for coastal defence since 2014. Unit cost is widely reported at about 2–2.5 million dollars. No combat firing is publicly documented.
Naval Strike Missile Specifications: Range, Speed, Warhead and Guidance
Naval Strike Missile Variants and Versions Compared
The standard ship- and shore-launched version with a range above 185 km.
An upgraded production standard, with improvements to its guidance and software.
The air-launched Joint Strike Missile, sized to fit inside the F-35A weapons bay, with a range of about 275 km.
Which Countries Use the Naval Strike Missile? Operators and Users
Norway
United States
Germany
Poland
Australia
Spain
Romania
Malaysia
LatviaNaval Strike Missile FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does the Naval Strike Missile cost?
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) costs roughly 2 to 2.5 million US dollars per missile, based on US contract values, according to reports. Prices vary with the quantity and package.
What is the range of the NSM?
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) has a range of 185 km or more, and some sources say 200 km. Actual range depends on the flight profile, and the air-launched JSM version reaches about 275 km.
Is the NSM stealth?
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) has a low-observable shape that reduces radar detection, but it is not fully stealthy. It remains a subsonic sea-skimming cruise missile that flies at around Mach 0.9.
NSM vs Harpoon: which is better?
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is newer than the Harpoon, with an imaging infrared seeker, a low-observable shape and a 185 km range against the Harpoon’s 124–280 km depending on block. The US Navy is shifting from Harpoon to NSM.
Which countries use the NSM?
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is used by Norway, the US, Germany, Poland, Australia, Spain, Romania, Malaysia and Latvia. Several other countries have ordered it, so the list changes with new contracts.
NSM vs ATMACA: how do they compare?
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the Turkish ATMACA are direct rivals: both are subsonic anti-ship missiles with ranges in the 200 km class. NSM has more export customers, while ATMACA arms Turkish ships and is being offered abroad.
