The US Navy has successfully fired a rolling airframe missile (RAM) Block 2 from Raytheon’s SeaRAM anti-ship missile defence system, during a live-fire exercise at China Lake in California.
The SeaRAM system, which detected, tracked and engaged an inbound threat, fired a RAM Block 2 that successfully intercepted the target.
It has been assembled with a Phalanx close-in weapon system for the test, and the two systems will be similarly deployed on the US Navy destroyers.
Raytheon Naval and Area Mission Defense Product Line vice-president Rick Nelson said: "SeaRAM continues to demonstrate how vital a weapon it is for defending navies against anti-ship missiles.
"Raytheon’s close-in defence systems can provide warfighters with a capability found nowhere else, and help the US Navy extend its reach with a layered defence that can counter various threats."
In September, the US Navy successfully fired a tactical missile for the first time from a SeaRAM launcher on-board its second Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS), the USS Coronado, during a live-fire exercise.
The SeaRAM anti-ship missile defence system is designed to offer improved ship self-defence and extended keep-out range capabilities in hostile combat environments.
It allows naval vessels to effectively engage high-performance, supersonic and subsonic threats, including sea-skimming, anti-ship missiles, high-speed incoming vessels, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and other surface targets.
Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system that acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats.
Image: The SeaRAM system has fired a RAM Block 2 that successfully intercepted the target. Photo: courtesy of Raytheon Company.
