According to a contract published by the United States Department of Defense on December 30, 2021, Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $55,121,826 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract for engineering and technical services in support of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile (EESM) and NATO Seasparrow Missile Systems programs.
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An evolved sea sparrow missile or ESSM (Picture source BAE Systems)
This contract combines purchases for the U.S. government (99%), and the governments of Japan and United Arab Emirates (1%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
The RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow ship-borne short-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapon system used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles.
The ESSM guided missile is an international cooperative upgrade of the RIM-7 Seasparrow Missile. It provides self-defense battlespace and firepower against high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles in the naval environment.
Developed by the U.S. Navy and nine of the other 11-member nations of the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, the ESSM missile is bringing transformational anti-ship missile defense capabilities to the U.S., NATO, and other allies. Members of the Consortium include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.
With more than 2,000 proven rounds in service or in production and another 1,500 rounds anticipated based on customer requirements, the ESSM missile will likely be supported through 2030 and beyond.
