RIM-162 ESSM
Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile
Overview
RIM-162 ESSM
RIM-162D Evolved Sea Sparrow in flight showing its different body and wings.
Source: US Navy (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew J. Haran) -
© public domain
Description
The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is a naval surface to air missile of US origin. The ESSM is intended for point defense against both aircraft and incomming missiles. The ESSM is based on the RIM-7P, but only the guidance section remains unaltered. It features slat fins and tail control similar to the Standard missile. This allows for a much larger and wider rocket engine within the same wingspan. Due to the changes the ESSM is very different from the Sea Sparrow and has been given its own RIM-162 designation. Several versions exist, but they show a similar performance.
Variants of the ESSM
Details
Media
RIM-162D
RIM-162D Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile being launched from a Mk 29 octuple launcher in 2010.
Source: US Navy (Patrick Green)
Copyright: Public domain
RIM-162 ESSM
The Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat firing two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles in 2016
Source: US Navy (Holly L. Herline)
Copyright: Public domain
RIM-162 ESSM
An Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) launches from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
RIM-162D
RIM-162D Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile being loaded into a Mk 29 octuple launcher.
Source: US Navy (MCS2 Tommy Gooley)
Copyright: Public domain
RIM-162D
RIM-162D Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile being loaded into a Mk 29 octuple launcher.
Source: US Navy (MCS2 Anthony Flynn)
Copyright: Public domain
RIM-162D
RIM-162D Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile being launched from a Mk 29 octuple launcher in 2010.
Source: US Navy (MCS3 Nicholas Hall)
Copyright: Public domain
RIM-162D
An Evolved Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
Source: US Navy (MCS2 Adrian White)
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
The ESSM is the successor of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and was designed to be compatible with some of the launcher options.
De Zeven Provinciën class
The Dutch De Zeven Provinciën class destroyers were one of the first classes of ship to use the RIM-162 ESSM quad packed in the Mk 41 VLS.