RIM-162 ESSM

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)


caption=
origin=USA
type=Medium-range surface-to-air missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Raytheon
unit_cost=
propellant=
production_date=September 1998
service=February 2004 aboard USS "Chafee"Fact|date=July 2008
engine=Mk 143 Mod 0 solid fuel rocket
engine_power=
weight=620 lb (280 kg)
length=12 ft (3.66 m)
height=
diameter=10 in (254 mm)
wingspan=
speed=Mach 4+
vehicle_range=27+ nm (50+ km)
ceiling=
altitude=
filling=66 lb (39 kg) blast-fragmentation
guidance=Midcourse datalink
Terminal semi-active radar homing
detonation=Proximity fuze
launch_platform=Mk 41 VLS (RIM-162A/B)
Mk 48 VLS (RIM-162C)
Mk 29 box launcher (RIM-162D) [Raytheon. [http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/rids/products/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/content/rtn_bus_ids_prod_mk29_pdf.pdf ESSM MK-29 upgrade fact sheet] . (PDF)]

The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. Compared to the Sea Sparrow, ESSM has a larger, more powerful rocket motor for increased range and agility, as well as upgraded aerodynamics using strakes and skid-to-turn. In addition, ESSM takes advantage of the latest missile guidance technology, with different versions for Aegis/SPY-1, Sewaco/APAR, and traditional target illumination all-the-way. ESSM also has the ability to be "quad-packed" in the Mk 41 VLS system, allowing four times the number of Sea Sparrow to be carried.

ESSM will be used by many allied countries. The first country to achieve operational status for ESSM after the United States was Australia. Other countries which also integrated the ESSM are Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany and Norway. Other countries in the process of integrating ESSM are Canada, New Zealand, Greece, Japan, Spain and Turkey.

Operational history

US operational evaluation was conducted in July 2002 aboard USS "Shoup". Initial operational capability did not occur until later. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738/is_200305/ai_n9206252 ESSM completes OPEVAL with "flying colors" Sea Power, May 2003] ]

The first "kill" by the RIM-162D from a carrier's Mk 29 launcher was achieved by the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) on 7 October 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40222|title=Stennis First with New ESSM|publisher=US Navy|date=2008-10-10|accessdate=2008-10-10]

See also

* List of missiles

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvRcyfxPmE Video: Royal Norwegian Navy Frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen testfires RIM-162 ESSM ]
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-162.html Designation Systems.net: Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/rim-162.htm Global Security.org: RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)]
* [http://www.natoseasparrow.org NATO SEASPARROW Project Office]
* [http://www.nammo.com NAMMO Raufoss - Nordic Ammunition Company]