Kongsberg showcases NSM Mission Module, furthers plans for submarine and vertical launch

Kongsberg's Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Mission Module during testing in Norway in autumn 2026. The containerised launcher accommodates up to four missiles inside a standard 20 ft shipping container. (Kongsberg)

Kongsberg unveiled a containerised launcher concept for the company's Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship cruise missile, designated the NSM Mission Module, at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition, held in Paris between 3-6 November.

The system was developed in response to the need for more platform agnostic launch solutions as current and potential NSM customers explore the concept of hybrid fleet structures and distributed fires. Kongsberg has repurposed the retractable ‘stealth' NSM launcher installed on the Royal Norwegian Navy's Skjold-class corvettes to produce the containerised NSM mission module.

The NSM Mission Module integrates four NSM missile canisters mounted in a 2x2 configuration, with an erectable launcher housed inside a standard 20-foot ISO container. The container also houses all energy, C2, and communications modules to maintain a reduced footprint for ease of integration.

During a launch sequence, a hatch on the upper-rear of the container is opened to expose the update vents and allow the booster exhaust to be safely directed upwards. Kongsberg displayed recently released video of a successful test firing of the NSM Mission Module conducted in October 2026.

Bjørn Kvisgaard, Captain Royal Norwegian Navy (Ret), and regional marketing director – missiles & space, at Kongsberg, told Janes that the firm is working on other developments surrounding the NSM and alternative launcher concepts. Kvisgaard said that Kongsberg's current priority is developing a canister to enable NSM launches from submarine torpedo tubes, which is planned to reach the testing phase in 2030, while any work on a vertically-launched variant would likely begin after that date.