El sofisticado misil antibuque “Naval Strike Missile” (NSM) ha sido presentado en una nueva configuración, empleando como plataforma de lanzamiento un helicóptero. Con un alcance de hasta 180km, este misil constituye una herramienta letal para el combate contra buques de superficie y submarinos, resultando además extraordinario disponer de helicópteros que disparen misiles con ese rango de alcance.
Raytheon Missile Systems, partnered with Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, has unveiled a lethal version of MH-60 Romeo multimission helicopter armed with two Naval Strike Missiles.
Media specialist James Drew has posted a photo of an advanced helicopter with Naval Strike Missiles that was unveiled during the Sea Air Space Exposition at the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor.
“Potentially the most lethal MH-60R Seahawk on the planet, armed with twin 100-nautical-mile, air-launched Naval Strike Missiles,” he said on Twitter.
The Naval Strike Missile is a long-range, precision strike weapon that can find and destroy enemy ships at distances up to 100 nautical miles away. The stealthy missile flies at sea-skimming altitude, has terrain-following capability and uses an advanced seeker for precise targeting in challenging conditions.
The MH-60 Romeo multimission helicopter will receive two Naval Strike Missile (NSM) in a helicopter-launched application.
According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, the Indian Navy appears poised to become the first customer for the helicopter-launched Naval Strike Missile. The missile will be integrated into Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH-60R multimission helicopters that India is looking to acquire under a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) case.
The MH-60R is equipped with a highly sophisticated combat system designed to employ Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and the Mark 54 anti-submarine torpedo. The primary missions of the helicopter is anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare. Secondary missions include search and rescue, logistics support, personnel transport and medical evacuation.
Fuente: https://defence-blog.com
