Testing
continued with another successful firing, using two RAM Block 2 missiles,
meeting all test objectives May 12. Scheduled over the next several
months, these were the first of a series of planned tests to demonstrate
RAM Block 2 performance against anti-ship cruise missile threats at
sea. The Block 2 missile will now have flight tests from an operational
ship.
"With an Evolved Radio Frequency receiver and improved kinematics,
RAM Block 2 was designed to engage these types of LPI [Low-Probability
Intercept] and maneuvering threats." said Capt. John Keegan, RAM
major program manager. "Our success over the last several days
is the first step in proving Block 2's operational effectiveness and
suitability for fleet use."
The Block 2 missile is the latest RAM configuration. The missile provides
improvements in sensitivity, maneuverability, and range over the existing
Block 0 and Block 1A variants currently deployed.
RAM Block 2 missile is in Low Rate Initial Production with an approved
U.S. inventory objective of 2,093 missiles.
RAM is a cooperative development, production and in-service program
between the United States and Federal Republic of Germany in the Program
Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems' (PEO IWS) portfolio. The
RAM missile is a supersonic, lightweight, quick reaction, fire-and-forget
missile that defends against anti-ship cruise missiles.
It is jointly developed and produced by Raytheon Missile Systems and
RAMSYS GmbH. In addition to being deployed in the U.S. and German fleets,
the RAM system is also in-service or planned for in-service in the navies
of Egypt, Greece, Japan, Republic of Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab
Emirates.
PEO IWS, an affiliated program executive office of the Naval Sea Systems
Command, manages surface ship and submarine combat technologies and
systems, and coordinates Navy Enterprise solutions across ship platforms.
Source: US Naval Sea Systems Command |
