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
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.
The ESSM is the successor of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and was designed to be compatible with some of the launcher options.
The RIM-162A/B ESSM is launched from the Mark 41 vertical launch system. These are usually quad packed in a Mark 25 cannister. A Mark 22 cannister for a single ESSM can also be used. ESSM can be launched from any length of Mark 41 VLS.
The RIM-162D variant was specifically designed to be launched from the Mk 29 octuple launcher.
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.
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