Video: USS Porter is the First US Navy Burke-class Destroyer to Test Raytheon's SeaRAM CIWS

ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 4, 2016) SeaRAM, a new system for guided-missile destroyers, is test fired from USS Porter (DDG 78), March 4, 2016. Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is preparing for deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. Official U.S. Navy photo.

The SeaRAM installation onboard USS Porter took place as a response to a formal Urgent Operational Need for forward-deployed naval forces in Europe. USS Porter is the first of four DDGs to receive the Mk 15 SeaRAM Missile System equipped with enhanced capability RAM Block 2 missiles. The other three ships, USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), USS Ross (DDG-71) and USS Carney (DDG-64) will recieve the upgrade in the near future.

SeaRAM is a MK 15 CIWS variant consisting of the combination of two Fleet proven weapon systems: Block 1B Phalanx CIWS and the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon System. SeaRAM combines the Phalanx CIWS Block 1B search-and-track radar and Elector Optic sensors, along with its inherent threat evaluation and weapon designation capability, with a RAM 11-round launcher assembly missile system on a single mount. The SeaRAM CIWS is a complete combat weapon system that automatically detects, evaluates, tracks, engages, and performs kill assessment against ASM and high speed aircraft threats in an extended self defense battle space envelope around the ship.

“The addition of this advanced weapon system to Porter’s arsenal is extremely welcome,” said Cmdr. Andria Slough, USS Porter’s commanding officer. “It is a culmination of the cooperation of several program offices and agencies, both at sea and ashore, ensuring that out here on the front lines, we receive the capabilities we need, when we need them.”

Video: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet

In January this year, Raytheon Company's SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense system used a Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 for the first time to intercept an incoming target during a U.S. Navy live-fire exercise at China Lake in California.

The SeaRAM system detected, tracked and engaged an inbound threat, and fired a RAM Block 2 that successfully intercepted the target. SeaRAM was configured with a nearby Phalanx Close-In Weapon System for the test, similar to the way the two systems would be deployed together on U.S. Navy destroyers.

RAM Block 2, which reached Initial Operating Capability in May, 2015, adds enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio frequency receiver and an improved control system.

BLACK SEA (Oct. 23, 2015) The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) performs evasive maneuvers during a simulated small boat attack (prior SeaRAM installation). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sean Spratt/Released)

USS Porter (DDG 78) is an Arleigh Burke Flight II Class destroyer (the last Flight II of the series). It was launched in November 1997 and commissioned in March 1999.

The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers are the backbone of the US Navy. They are multi-mission [Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW)] surface combatants.

Link to Arleigh Burke Flight I & Flight II Class destroyer technical datasheet