September 30, 2024

Raytheon secures USD 525 million contract from U.S. Navy for ESSM Block 2 missiles

By Defence Industry Europe

Raytheon, a business under RTX, has been awarded a USD 525 million contract by the U.S. Navy to produce ESSM Block 2 missiles and spares. These missiles will be supplied to both the U.S. Navy and allied nations as part of a cooperative defence effort.

The ESSM (Evolved SeaSparrow Missile) Block 2 is a ship-launched, short-to-medium-range, guided missile designed to provide enhanced defence capabilities. Its latest variant boasts increased manoeuvrability and improved performance compared to its predecessor, the ESSM Block 1. It is tailored to offer superior protection against modern naval threats in both local and wide-area defence missions.

Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, highlighted the significance of this system. “The role of self-ship and local area defence has become increasingly important, and ESSM Block 2 delivers critical capability in this mission,” she stated. Borgonovi also underscored the importance of collaboration with the U.S. Navy and international navies, ensuring that this versatile system remains ready to serve global fleets.

One of the key advancements in the ESSM Block 2 is its reduced reliance on shipboard illumination, making it highly adaptable to various combat systems and launchers. The missile’s design incorporates significant digital processing capacity, allowing it to stay ahead of evolving threats through software updates.

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Raytheon is applying expertise gained from other advanced missile systems, such as the AMRAAM and Standard Missile 6, to enhance the ESSM Block 2’s performance. By using common hardware and manufacturing processes across these platforms, RTX aims to reduce costs and increase production efficiency. The company has also invested in testing infrastructure to ensure that production capacity stays ahead of demand, allowing for faster deliveries to the U.S. and its allies.

The ESSM programme is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, which includes 12 member nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States. The consortium represents NATO’s largest and most enduring cooperative weapons project, having spanned over five decades of international military-industrial collaboration.

Source: RTX.