| RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile | |
|---|---|
_launches_RIM-116_missile_2013.jpg) A RIM-116 being launched fromUSS New Orleans in 2013 | |
| Type | SAM-basedCIWS |
| Place of origin | Germany and United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992–present |
| Used by | § Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | General Dynamics (nowRaytheon) andDiehl BGT Defence |
| Designed | 1976 |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics (now Raytheon) and Diehl Defence |
| Unit cost |
|
| Produced | 1985–present |
| Variants | § Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | |
| Length | 2.79 m (9 ft 2 in) (missile) |
| Diameter |
|
| Wingspan | 434 mm (17.1 in) |
| Warhead | Blast fragmentation warhead |
| Warhead weight | 11.3 kg (24 lb 15 oz) |
| Engine | Hercules/Bermite Mk. 36 solid-fuel rocket |
| Propellant | Solid |
Operational range | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
| Maximum speed | In excess ofMach 2 (1,500 mph; 2,500 km/h) |
Guidance system |
|
| Accuracy | Over 95% |
Launch platform | Mk 144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) of the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) |
TheRIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight,infrared homingsurface-to-air missile in use by theGerman,Japanese,Greek,Turkish,South Korean,Saudi Arabian,Egyptian,Mexican,UAE, andUnited States navies. It was originally intended and used primarily as apoint-defense weapon againstanti-ship missiles. As its name indicates, RAMrolls as it flies. The missile must roll during flight because the RF tracking system uses a two-antenna interferometer that can measure phase interference of the electromagnetic wave in one plane only. The rolling interferometer permits the antennas to look at all planes of incoming energy. In addition, because the missile rolls, only one pair of steering canards is required.[2] As of 2005[update], it is the only U.S. Navy missile to operate in this manner.[3]
The Rolling Airframe Missiles, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, make up the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) unit weighs 5,777 kilograms (12,736 lb) and stores 21 missiles. The original weapon cannot employ its own sensors prior to firing, so it must be integrated with a ship's combat system, which directs the launcher at targets. On U.S. ships, it is integrated with the AN/SWY-2 Ship Defense Surface Missile System (SDSMS) andShip Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk 1 or Mk 2-based combat systems. SeaRAM, a launcher variant equipped with independent sensors derived from theVulcan PhalanxCIWS, is being installed onLittoral Combat Ships and certainArleigh Burke-class destroyers.
The RIM-116 was developed byGeneral Dynamics's Pomona and Valley Systems divisions under a July 1976 agreement with Denmark andWest Germany (the General Dynamics missile business was later acquired byHughes Aircraft and is today part ofRaytheon). Denmark dropped out of the program, but theU.S. Navy joined in as the major partner. The Mk 49 launcher was evaluated on board the destroyerUSS David R. Ray in the late 1980s.[3] The first 30 missiles were built inFY85, and they became operational on 14 November 1992, onboardUSS Peleliu.
SeaRAM was developed in response to concerns about the performance of gun-based systems against modern supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. It was designed as a companion self-defense system to Phalanx.[4]
The RIM-116 is in service on severalAmerican and 30 German warships. All newly laidGerman Navy warships will be equipped with the RAM, such as the modernBraunschweig-class corvettes, which mount two RAM launchers per ship. TheGreek Navy has equipped the new Super Vita–class fast attack craft with the RAM. South Korea has signed license-production contracts for their navy'sKDX-II,KDX-III, andDokdo-class amphibious assault ships.[5]
The U.S. Navy plans to purchase a total of about 1,600 RAMs and 115 launchers to equip 74 ships. The missile is currently active aboardGerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers,Nimitz-class aircraft carriers,Wasp-class amphibious assault ships,America-class amphibious assault ships,San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships,Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships,Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships, andlittoral combat ships (LCS).[6]
_launching_a_RIM-116_Rolling_Airframe_Missile.jpg)
The original version of the missile, calledBlock 0, is based on theAIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, whoserocket motor,fuze, andwarhead are used. Block 0 missiles were designed to initially home in on radiation emitted from a target (such as the active radar of an incominganti-ship missile), switching to aninfrared seeker derived from that of theFIM-92 Stinger missile for terminal guidance. In test firings, the Block 0 missiles achieved hit rates of over 95%.
TheBlock 1 (RIM-116B) is an improved version of the RAM missile that adds an overall infrared-only guidance system that enables it to intercept missiles that are notemitting any radar signals. The Block 0's radarhoming capabilities have been retained.
TheBlock 2 (RIM-116C) is an upgraded version of the RAM missile aimed at more effectively countering more maneuverable anti-ship missiles through a four-axis independent control actuator system, increased rocket motor capability to 15.8 cm (6.25–inch) diameter, an improved passive radio frequency seeker and upgraded components of the infrared seeker, and advanced kinematics.[7][8] On 8 May 2007, the U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $105 million development contract. Development was expected to be completed by December 2010. LRIP began in 2012.[9]
Fifty-one missiles were initially ordered. On 22 October 2012, the RAM Block 2 completed its third guided test vehicle flight, firing two missiles in a salvo and directly hitting the target, to verify the system's command and control capabilities, kinematic performance, guidance system, and airframe capabilities. Raytheon was scheduled to deliver 25 Block 2 missiles during the program's integrated testing phase.[10][11] The Block 2 RAM was delivered to the U.S. Navy in August 2014,[12] with 502 missiles to be acquired from 2015 to 2019.[13]Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Block 2 RAM was achieved on 15 May 2015.[14]
In early 2018 the U.S. State Department approved the sale of RIM-116 Block II to theMexican Navy for use on their futureSigma-class design frigates, the first of which was jointly built byDamen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and launched in November 2018.[15][16]
In 1998, amemorandum of understanding was signed by the defense departments of Germany and the United States to improve the system so that it could also engage so-called "HAS",Helicopter,Aircraft, andSurface targets. As developed, theHAS upgrade just required software modifications that can be applied to all Block 1 RAM missiles.
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The SeaRAM combines the radar andelectro-optical system[3] of thePhalanx CIWS Mk-15 Block 1B (CRDC) with an 11-cell RAM launcher to produce an autonomous system—one which does not need any external information to engage threats. Like the Phalanx, SeaRAM can be fitted to any class of ship. Due to the common mounting, SeaRAM inherits the relatively easy installation characteristics of its gun-based sibling, with Raytheon stating that SeaRAM "fits the exact shipboard installation footprint of the Phalanx, uses the same power and requires minimal shipboard modification". In 2008, the first SeaRAM system was delivered to be installed onUSS Independence.[17]
As of December 2013[update], one SeaRAM is fitted to eachIndependence-class vessel.[18] In late 2014, the Navy revealed it had chosen to install the SeaRAM on itsSmall Surface Combatant LCS follow-on ships.[19] Beginning in November 2015, the Navy will complete installation of a SeaRAM on the first of fourArleigh Burke-class destroyers patrolling within theU.S. 6th Fleet.[20] The SeaRAM will equip theRoyal Saudi Navy's multi-mission surface combat (MMSC) based on theFreedom-classlittoral combat ships.[21]
Primary function: Surface-to-air missile
Contractor:Raytheon,Diehl BGT Defence
Block 1
Block 1A[7]
Block 2[7]
Egypt
Germany
Greece
Japan[23]
Mexico[24]
Qatar[25]
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United StatesTheDutch Ministry of Defence announced on 14 January 2021 that it wants to purchase the Rolling Airframe Missile to upgrade several of its ships, including thelanding platform docksHNLMSRotterdam andHNLMSJohan de Witt, the support shipHNLMSKarel Doorman and its new anti-submarine warfare frigates.[26]
The Canadian Government on 28 June 2024 when announcing theRiver-class destroyers published a fact sheet that showed the Rolling Airframe Missile, replacing the previously selectedCAMM for the close in defence role.[27]
_fires_a_surface-to-air_intercept_missile_from_the_Rolling_Airframe_Missile_(RAM)_launcher_during_Combat_System_Ship_Qualification_Trials_off_t.jpg)
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