Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme Division led an Evolved Seasparrow Missile integration test aboard the Turkish navy frigate TCG Gediz (F-495), March 5-18, in preparation for live-fire testing to be conducted in April.
The integration test verified the ability of the ship’s Seasparrow Missile system to interface with the onboard combat system, using an inert operational missile to ensure the system functioned correctly.
The Turkish vessel is a former U.S. Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, in which the Turkish navy integrated the MK 41 Vertical Launching System and MK 92 Fire Control System with their own Genesis Combat Management System.
“This is the Turkish Navy’s first ship class to add [Seasparrow’s] enhanced capabilities to their layered defense strategy,” noted test coordinator Senior Chief Petty Officer Ralph Malpica . “This [test] will assure the Turkish navy that their combat system is capable of supporting the [Seasparrow] both pre-launch and while in flight.” That is important, Malpica said, because “the [missile] gives more capability to Turkey’s G-class frigates against today’s anti-ship missile threat.”
The Evolved Seasparrow Missile program is managed by the NATO Seasparrow Project Office and is comprised of an international consortium of 12 nations, including the U.S. and Turkey.
NSWC Port Hueneme is a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command and provides the U.S. Navy fleet with weapon system engineering, logistics, and test and evaluation.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , April 13, 2012;