Julian Moxon/PARIS
Aerospatiale is to take a stake of around 10% in the development of Norway's New Ship Missile programme as part of a potentially wider anti-ship missiles co-operation between the two manufacturers.
Norwegian prime contractor Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace selected Aerospatiale following negotiations with European missile manufacturers, including Matra BAe Dynamics. The Norwegian Government required the NSM prime contractor to find an international partner to share in the work.
Under the agreement, Aerospatiale will self-finance its stake in the medium-range NSM, which is expected to cost around NKr1.2 billion ($170 million) to develop. Although final details of the workshare have still to be agreed, it has been decided that the French company will be responsible for the propulsion module and reduction of the radar signature.
It has also agreed to integrate the missile on the naval version of the four-nation NHIndustries NH-90 transport helicopter, if the NSM is chosen for the medium-range anti-ship missile requirement.
Development of the NSM will be completed in 2003, with delivery of the first examples to the Norwegian navy in 2004. The missile will have a range of more than 100km (55nm), the same as Aerospatiale's Exocet, but according to Kongsberg, it will weigh only half as much, at 800kg.
It will be powered by a turbojet supplied by French manufacturer Microturbo under subcontract to Aerospatiale, and will have a Norwegian-developed infra-red seeker. The French and Norwegian navies are now discussing future anti-ship missile requirements, which could lead to Norwegian involvement in the Aerospatiale-developed Anti-Navire Future (ANF) long-range supersonic anti-ship missile.
French Government go-ahead for the ANF is expected in 1998, allowing the missile to be available for export in 2005 - the same time as the NSM. According to Aerospatiale, the two could be offered as potential replacements for the current Aerospatiale Exocet, of which more than 2,000 examples have been sold in 32 countries.
Source: Flight International
