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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

Origin
United States
Type
Surface to air missile
Entered service
2004
Status
In service
Development
1990's
Developer
United States
Production
1998 - present
Producer
United States - Raytheon
Unit cost
About $ 950.000 in 2016
Number produced
2.000 missiles by 2012
Designations
ESSM / Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile

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

RIM-162A
Launched from the Mk 41 VLS and features an AEGIS uplink which the other models lack.
RIM-162B
Launched from the Mk 41 VLS on non-AEGIS ships.
RIM-162C
Launched from the Mk 48 VLS.
RIM-162D
Launched from the Mk 29 octuple launcher, known for use by the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow.

Details


Facts RIM-162A
General
Origin
United states
Type
Surface to air missile
Dimensions
Diameter
0.254 m body
Length
3.66 m
Weight
280 kg
Guidance
Type
Terminal semi-active radar homing
Inertial navigation system
Datalink
Mid course updates via AEGIS compatible datalink
Warhead
Type
Blast-fragmentation warhead
Weight
39 kg
Fuse
Proximity and impact fuse
Kill radius
8 m
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Mk 143 Mod 0 single-stage solid propellant rocket motor
Max speed
Mach 4+
Range
Over 50 km
Max G force
Up to 50 G maneuvering

Media


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.

Mark 41 VLS

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.

Mk 29 IBPDMS

The RIM-162D variant was specifically designed to be launched from the Mk 29 octuple launcher.

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.