RTX-owned Raytheon and German industrial partner RAM-Systems has delivered the 250th RAM MK49 guided missile launching system (GMLS), which will be fitted to the under-construction US Navy San Antonio-class amphibious transport ship, USS Pittsburgh.
The RAM programme, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, is a bilateral partnership between the US and Germany with Raytheon serving as a prime contractor.
In addition to the US and Germany, operators include Egypt, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye, and the UAE.
In service since the 1990s, RAM protects naval assets ranging in size from 220ft corvettes to 1,100ft nuclear powered aircraft carriers from anti-ship missiles, aircraft, drones, and other incoming threats.
"The RAM missile system has been a cornerstone of naval defence capabilities for decades,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, in a 19 May release.
Once fitted to USS Pittsburgh, the recently delivered RAM GLMS will form a pair of such systems intended to provide point defence capabilities to the vessel. With a range of around 9km, the RIM-116 missiles can travel in excess of Mach 2 and are able to track onto targets via passive RF/IR homing, IR only, or IR dual mode.
The USS Pittsburgh is the second of the newer Flight II variant San Antonio-class amphibious transport ships and was laid down in June 2023 ahead of expected service entry some time in 2028.
Market analysis: platform-based air defence
Raytheon has recently sought to double production capacity of the RAM GMLS system, as global demand for missile defence systems remains strong.
According to analysis by GlobalData, the global missiles and missile defence systems market is anticipated to grow from $45.5bn in 2024 to $76bn by 2034. Among the business areas in the sector is the platform-based missile defence system, which was expected to account for 33.8% of the market, the largest individual share.
Among geographic segments, Europe was projected to lead the sector with a share of 34.3%, followed by North America, and Asia-Pacific with shares of 30.3% and 23.2%, respectively.
