RIM-162 ESSM
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| RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) | |
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| Type | Medium-range surface-to-air missile |
| Service history | |
| In service | February 2004 aboard USS Chafee |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Produced | September 1998 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 620 lb (280 kg) |
| Length | 12 ft (3.66 m) |
| Diameter | 10 in (254 mm) |
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| Warhead | 66 lb (39 kg) blast-fragmentation |
| Detonation mechanism |
Proximity fuse |
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| Engine | Mk 143 Mod 0 solid fuel rocket |
| Operational range |
27+ nm (50+ km) |
| Speed | Mach 4+ |
| Guidance system |
Midcourse datalink Terminal semi-active radar homing |
| Launch platform |
Mk 41 VLS (RIM-162A/B) Mk 48 VLS (RIM-162C) Mk 29 box launcher (RIM-162D) |
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.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Video: Royal Norwegian Navy Frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen testfires RIM-162 ESSM
- Designation Systems.net: Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM
- Global Security.org: RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)
- NATO SEASPARROW Project Office
- NAMMO Raufoss - Nordic Ammunition Company
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