RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)

RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)

Type: air_defense

Domain: sea

Country of Origin: United States

Manufacturer: Raytheon

First Deployed: 2011

Overview

The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 is Denmark's primary point defense anti-air missile, quad-packed into Mk 41 VLS cells on Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates. Block 2 adds an active radar seeker for terminal guidance and improved kinematics. Denmark is a founding member of the NATO ESSM consortium and uses it as its primary short-to-medium range anti-air weapon.

Technical Specifications

range50+ km
speedMach 4+
weight280 kg
packing4 per Mk 41 standard cell
warhead39 kg blast-fragmentation
altitudeVery low to medium altitude engagement
guidanceActive radar terminal seeker (Block 2) + semi-active midcourse

Operators

Related sea Weapon Systems