Mk 29 IBPDMS
NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System
Overview
Mk 29 launcher for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow being launched from a Belgian Wielingen class frigate.
Source: www.mil.be -
© CC BY-SA 2.0
Denmark
Netherlands
Japan
System composition
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
There are several types Sea Sparrow missiles. The NSSMS uses the later models RIM-7H, RIM-7M and RIM-7P.
RIM-162 ESSM
Late model systems allow the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile to be fired. The ESSM uses the same seeker as the RIM-7P. Only the RIM-162D variant can be launched from the Mk 29 octuple launcher.
Mk 29 octuple launcher
The Mk 29 octuple launcher holds eight Sea Sparrow missiles.
Mk 95 fire control radar
The Mk 95 fire control radar illuminates the target for the RIM-7 semi-active radar homing head. The Mk 95 fire control radars are unmanned and controlled from the Mk 91 fire control computer system.
Non-US vessels have sometimes been fitted with other types of fire control radar systems.
Details
Media
Mk 29 launcher for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile being fired from a Mk-29 launcher aboard landing helicopter dock USS Bataan.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 29 launcher for RIM-162 ESSM
RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile being launched from a Mk 29 octuple launcher on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 29 launcher for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile being fired from a Mk-29 launcher aboard landing helicopter dock USS Bonhomme Richard. Note that the wings are still in folded position.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Mk 29 launcher for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile being fired from a Mk-29 launcher aboard landing helicopter dock USS Makin Island.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Ships armed with Mk 29
Note: incomplete list
Related articles
Albatros
The Albatros is an Italian naval SAM system based on the Aspide, a modified AIM-7 Sparrow.
The Albatros system often uses the same Mk 29 octuple launcher, making it difficult to identify at a glance which type of SAM system is fitted on a ship.