A group of low-flying drones and missiles are rapidly approaching the outskirts of the city. Using a high-technology radar, the objects are detected.

At the same time, a tactical ballistic missile is detected and identified from above.

These threats are invisible to the naked eye – but not to the systems designed to protect.

Full Spectrum Air Defence – the future of integrated airspace protection

A layered, integrated air defence system where components share critical information within milliseconds, the system recommending operator actions, and operators respond within seconds. This is the essence of Full Spectrum Air Defence (FSAD) – a comprehensive solution that brings together technology and capabilities to counter the full spectrum of aerial threats and protect people, infrastructure, society, and military forces.

Text:Amanda Chapman-Stavn / KONGSBERG

Photo:KONGSBERG

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.

With its inherent capabilities and open, flexible architecture, NASAMS can be tailored to address the full spectrum of threats. The system has already integrated three missile types, each with distinct characteristics.

These can be fired from the same launcher, by the same command and control unit, and cover both short- and medium-range engagements.
Hans Christian Hagen, Vice President Business Development for Air and Coastal Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

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.

“Full Spectrum Air Defence is not merely a technological solution. It is a system designed to adapt rapidly in the face of complex and unpredictable situations,” says Hagen.

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.

In addition to increased operational effect, FSAD also provides significant synergies and reduced life-cycle costs. The approach is fully aligned with the Norwegian Long-Term Defence Plan for 2025–2036, which outlines that NASAMS will serve as the backbone for the continued development of air defence.
Carsten Thiis, air defence specialist at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

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.

Technology protects civilians in Ukraine

NASAMS air defence system provides critical protection against attacks from aircraft, drones, and missiles. Since the autumn of 2022, NASAMS has been delivered to and deployed by Ukraine.

New figures show that more than 900 missiles and drones have been intercepted by NASAMS, achieving a success rate of 94%. Today, demand for the air defence system from Norway's allies and partners is at an all-time high.

“The NASAMS air defence system protects the civilian population in Ukraine from Russian attacks every single day. It is the preferred air defence system used by numerous Western nations. This highlights the importance of close defence cooperation between countries and how it contributes to safeguarding peace, stability, and national sovereignty in Europe," says Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

NASAMS employs the Raytheon AMRAAM missile as its standard interceptor – the same missile used on fighter aircraft. In addition, the system can be equipped with the AMRAAM-Extended Range for increased range and altitude and the AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder to enhance operational flexibility. The concept of using the same missiles as those deployed on fighter jets offers nations clear operational advantages and reduces logistical costs, while ensuring a versatile capability to counter a wide range of threats.

From warning to response in seconds

FSAD is a coordinated system in which every component works together – from the moment an object is detected in the air to the threat is neutralised.
The system connects various radars, sensors, and effectors through a unified command and control unit, ensuring that all units share the same up-to-date situational picture in real time.

When a threat is detected, the radars identify the targets and transmit the information to the Fire Distribution Center (C2). The system analyses the data, recommends the most effective response, and sends target data to the launchers best positioned to intercept. The operator can quickly accept the engagement, and the missiles are launched.

The integrated air defence of the future

A holistic and long-term focus with a strategic partner has been essential to the development of our technology, and ensures the system today represents the best in its class, globally. Through close dialogue with selected NASAMS user nations, we have gained valuable insight into their operational needs.
“When they come to us, it is with a specific need: they present a challenge we are expected to solve – and it’s not only about the threats they anticipate facing in a conflict. Just as important are challenges related to operations, staffing, life-cycle costs, and system availability. This in-depth understanding of user requirements is what sets us apart from other providers,” says Thiis.

FSAD is being developed to handle both low-flying cruise missiles and high-speed ballistic missiles simultaneously. This is made possible by the system’s ability to connect to a variety of radars and missile types, which are automatically selected based on the nature of the incoming threat.

“This level of integration is at the core of FSAD. It’s about more than just technology – it’s about protecting what matters most,” says Hagen.

The threat landscape is evolving at a rapid pace – often faster than defence systems can adapt. In addition to tactical ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons, drones have become an increasingly significant challenge. A coordinated attack involving large numbers of drones can overwhelm air defences and create openings for cruise missiles and ballistic missiles to follow.

At the same time, it is not only the threats that are becoming more complex – the ability to operate multiple systems in parallel is also a growing challenge for many nations. Only a limited number of countries have the capacity to manage this, with personnel requirements and life-cycle costs often becoming limiting factors.

Two key elements have brought NASAMS a step closer to FSAD: the system’s ability to automatically recommend which missile types should be used against specific target types – while leaving the final decision to the operator – and its flexible architecture, which enables the integration of sensors and effectors to provide protection across the full spectrum.

“A fully integrated FSAD system addresses these challenges. By leveraging available sensors and weapon systems more effectively, it creates a cohesive defence structure capable of countering the full spectrum of threats – faster, with greater precision, and through optimal use of resources,” says Hagen.

The development of a fully capable FSAD system is well underway and could be ready for delivery by 2030, provided that a nation decides to invest in the solution within the near future.

“Our ambition is to be the first in the world to demonstrate an FSAD solution. At the same time, NASAMS will continue its ongoing evolution, with future solutions building on the implementation of available technology and the integration of capabilities tailored to national requirements,” Hagen concludes.