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The RIM-162 ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) is medium range surface to air missile fielded by the United States Navy and multiple other NATO navies.
It is a further development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, a short range point defense missile which itself is developed from the AIM-7 Sparrow, an Air-to-Air missile designed in the early-mid 1950s. The RIM-7 was mounted a large number of NATO ships including the US Navy's carriers and amphibious assault ships starting with the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in the early 1960s. Starting in 1988, Hughes and Raytheon began the concept phase for the ESSM with the requirement of it being compatible with existing Sea Sparrow launchers (Mk.41 VLS, Mk.29 Box Launcher and MK. 48 GMLS). The first tests began in late 1998 against target drones and other simulated missile threats with full production starting in January 2004.
The ESSM itself is reported to have a speed of at least Mach 4 and range of 50 kilometers, vs. the 19 kilometer range of the RIM-7. Because of the significant jump in range, this allows ESSM-equipped ships to not only protect themselves, but perform local area-defense. Another improvement over the RIM-7 was the removal of the forward fins and the introduction of strakes. This, combined with an improved motor and thrust vectoring, is said to give the ESSM the ability to pull 50Gs, increasing its potency against high-speed maneuvering cruise missiles. In 2013 the US Navy conducted a test involving a diving, supersonic target drone (possibly a GQM-163) which was destroyed, thus proving the ESSMs abilities and improved design. In addition to its increased performance against high-end cruise missiles, the ESSM also has the ability to intercept small surface craft such as speed boats.
The ESSM uses command mid-course update in conjunction with terminal semi-active homing as guidance on Aegis ships (RIM-162A) and "home-all-the-way" (no guidance commands, continuous illumination) on non-Aegis ships (RIM-162B). The RIM-162C is used for the Mk. 48 GMLS and the RIM-162D for the Mk.29 Box launcher, in use on USN carriers and amphibs.
Mk. 48 GMLS, Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate
Mk. 29 Box Launcher, USS Carl Vinson
However, one of the most useful and important features of the ESSM is the ability for it to be quadpacked into the MK. 41 VLS and the Zumwalt-class Mk.57 PVLS. For example, 4 VLS cells filled with 4 SM-2 interceptors would equate to 16 ESSMs in those same 4 cells. This significantly increases the firepower and saturation threshold of any surface group. In particular the Zumwalt, which has been criticized for lack of air-defense.
Weapons for the MK.41 VLS.
Looking ahead, the future ESSM block 2 will feature an active radar seeker (as opposed to the SARH seeker) and will still be compatible with all current ESSM launchers. It is due to enter service with NATO in 2020.
@KAL-EL @Nihonjin1051 @SvenSvensonov @Gufi @F-22Raptor @jhungary @C130
Hope you all enjoyed. If there is anything I screwed up on, please let me know so I can correct it.
REFERENCES
1. Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) - Naval Technology
2. Surface Navy 2015: ESSM Block 2 transitions into EM&D - IHS Jane's 360
3. Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM
4. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems - Norman Friedman - Google Books
5.http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/rim-7.htm
6.Home
-
NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System Project
7. http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-41-vls.htm
8. Sparrow | Weaponsystems.net
9.U.S. Navy Basic Point Defense Missile Systems
10. RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile SAM NSSM
11. ESSM Intercept of High-Diving Threat Proves Expanded Defensive Capability
12. EVOLVED SEA SPARROW MISSILE (ESSM) - FY01 Activity
13. Navy Works to Develop Sea Sparrow Block 2 | DoD Buzz
It is a further development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, a short range point defense missile which itself is developed from the AIM-7 Sparrow, an Air-to-Air missile designed in the early-mid 1950s. The RIM-7 was mounted a large number of NATO ships including the US Navy's carriers and amphibious assault ships starting with the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in the early 1960s. Starting in 1988, Hughes and Raytheon began the concept phase for the ESSM with the requirement of it being compatible with existing Sea Sparrow launchers (Mk.41 VLS, Mk.29 Box Launcher and MK. 48 GMLS). The first tests began in late 1998 against target drones and other simulated missile threats with full production starting in January 2004.
The ESSM itself is reported to have a speed of at least Mach 4 and range of 50 kilometers, vs. the 19 kilometer range of the RIM-7. Because of the significant jump in range, this allows ESSM-equipped ships to not only protect themselves, but perform local area-defense. Another improvement over the RIM-7 was the removal of the forward fins and the introduction of strakes. This, combined with an improved motor and thrust vectoring, is said to give the ESSM the ability to pull 50Gs, increasing its potency against high-speed maneuvering cruise missiles. In 2013 the US Navy conducted a test involving a diving, supersonic target drone (possibly a GQM-163) which was destroyed, thus proving the ESSMs abilities and improved design. In addition to its increased performance against high-end cruise missiles, the ESSM also has the ability to intercept small surface craft such as speed boats.
The ESSM uses command mid-course update in conjunction with terminal semi-active homing as guidance on Aegis ships (RIM-162A) and "home-all-the-way" (no guidance commands, continuous illumination) on non-Aegis ships (RIM-162B). The RIM-162C is used for the Mk. 48 GMLS and the RIM-162D for the Mk.29 Box launcher, in use on USN carriers and amphibs.
Mk. 48 GMLS, Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate
However, one of the most useful and important features of the ESSM is the ability for it to be quadpacked into the MK. 41 VLS and the Zumwalt-class Mk.57 PVLS. For example, 4 VLS cells filled with 4 SM-2 interceptors would equate to 16 ESSMs in those same 4 cells. This significantly increases the firepower and saturation threshold of any surface group. In particular the Zumwalt, which has been criticized for lack of air-defense.
Weapons for the MK.41 VLS.
Looking ahead, the future ESSM block 2 will feature an active radar seeker (as opposed to the SARH seeker) and will still be compatible with all current ESSM launchers. It is due to enter service with NATO in 2020.
@KAL-EL @Nihonjin1051 @SvenSvensonov @Gufi @F-22Raptor @jhungary @C130
Hope you all enjoyed. If there is anything I screwed up on, please let me know so I can correct it.
REFERENCES
1. Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) - Naval Technology
2. Surface Navy 2015: ESSM Block 2 transitions into EM&D - IHS Jane's 360
3. Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM
4. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems - Norman Friedman - Google Books
5.http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/rim-7.htm
6.Home
-
NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System Project
7. http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-41-vls.htm
8. Sparrow | Weaponsystems.net
9.U.S. Navy Basic Point Defense Missile Systems
10. RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile SAM NSSM
11. ESSM Intercept of High-Diving Threat Proves Expanded Defensive Capability
12. EVOLVED SEA SPARROW MISSILE (ESSM) - FY01 Activity
13. Navy Works to Develop Sea Sparrow Block 2 | DoD Buzz
