Kongsberg, Thales ready StrikeMaster for Australian evaluation

A Naval Strike Missile test munition is seen being fired from the StrikeMaster missile launch vehicle in Norway. (Kongsberg)

Kongsberg and Thales are preparing their jointly developed StrikeMaster for evaluations to meet an Australian Army requirement for a land-based maritime strike capability.

A Kongsberg spokesperson has told Janes that StrikeMaster does not require additional live-fire tests prior to a potential Australian procurement programme. However, if selected to meet the Australian Army's requirement, Kongsberg and Thales plan to conduct future evaluations in Australia.

“[These evaluations] would be conducted as a part of an integration, verification, and validation programme undertaken as part of an acquisition programme,” the Kongsberg spokesperson added.

Live firing

The spokesperson was speaking a few weeks after Kongsberg and Thales conducted the first live firing of StrikeMaster, which integrates the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) onto a Thales Australia Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle (PMV). The test was conducted in Norway in late October, deploying an NSM ballistic test vehicle (BTV).

The Kongsberg spokesperson said the BTV comprises the launcher container, the booster rocket motor, and an empty metal body that replicates the size and weight of the NSM as well as its centre of gravity.

“It [the BTV] is designed to confirm the safe release and clearance of the NSM from the launcher container on a new launch platform or installation. It is also used to confirm the effects an NSM firing will have on the launch platform and operators in the cabin,” the spokesperson said.

“Both Kongsberg and Thales Australia captured significant amounts of data from the recent BTV firing, and this is presently being analysed. What the BTV firing confirmed is the StrikeMaster is an excellent launch platform for the NSM,” the spokesperson added.