KONGSBERG test fires first Australian-made NSM launcher

KONGSBERG announced that its first Australian-manufactured launcher for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) capability has successfully completed a blast-test vehicle (BTV) firing in Port Wakefield, South Australia.

CAPTION: The first Australian-built Naval Strike Missile launcher is tested in Port Wakefield, South Australia. Image supplied.

This activity was performed as part of deliveries under Project SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy Guided Weapons.

The BTV, which comprises a NSM booster rocket motor and a dummy missile, is used to test the full launcher functionality in a live firing event.

The firing was the final element of the first-of-type testing of an Australian-built NSM launcher, assembled from Australian-manufactured components in KONGSBERG’s new production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia.

The launcher canister was produced by Aerobond Defence, an Adelaide-based advanced composite and sheet-metal manufacturing company, while the frame and rail were manufactured by Marand Precision Engineering in Melbourne.

Complex precision machined components for the launcher were manufactured by Australian Precision Technologies (APT) in Melbourne and QPE Advanced Machining in Adelaide.

This month’s BTV firing was performed at the Commonwealth Joint Proofing Experimental Unit (JPEU) at Port Wakefield, in South Australia.

The successful test event is a major milestone in the qualification of an Australian supply chain for NSM launchers.

Kongsberg Defence Australia’s Managing Director John Fry said the successful BTV firing from an Australian-made launcher was a key milestone in the delivery of NSM capability to the Royal Australian Navy.

“It now allows Kongsberg Defence Australia to commence full-rate production of Australian-made NSM launchers for the NSM program,” Mr Fry said.

“As a GWEO strategic partner, KONGSBERG is committed to working with Australian small and medium enterprises to create genuine sovereign capability.

“I would like thank our key supply-chain partners, Aerobond, Marand, APT and QPE for diligently working to an aggressive schedule to achieve this significant milestone.

“In addition to this, our appreciation goes to the personnel from JPEU and the GWEO Group for their support and assistance to this successful test event.”

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