Raytheon, Kongsberg to produce Naval Strike Missile in U.S.

LONDON, July 13 (UPI) -- Raytheon and Kongsberg are finalizing plans to assemble, integrate and test the Naval Strike Missile in the United States, Raytheon announced Wednesday.

The companies also plan to produce the missile's launchers in the United States, Raytheon said in a statement.

Raytheon plans to perform final assembly, integration and testing at the company's Tucson, Ariz., facility, with launchers being manufactured at the company's Louisville, Ky., facility.

The Naval Strike Missile features a range of more than 100 nautical miles against land and sea targets.

It provides penetration capability against enemy air defense systems and features an advanced imaging infrared seeker with autonomous target recognition.

The missile features high survivability against air defense systems and can fly at sea-skimming altitude.

"Production of NSM in the United States will secure ramp up and sustainability of NSM," Harald Ånnestad, president Kongsberg Defence Systems, said in a statement. "Increased volume of NSM creates and secures jobs in both the U.S. and Norway."

The companies are also teamed up for the development of the Joint Strike Missile and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS.