For the first time, the U.S. Navy successfully fired a tactical missile from a SeaRAM launcher on an Independence variant littoral combat ship.
The missile was launched Aug. 14 during a live-fire exercise at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division sea range off the coast of California. USS Coronado (LCS 4) fired a Rolling Airframe Missile from a SeaRAM® anti-ship defense system, both produced by Raytheon Company.
During the test, the SeaRAM detected, tracked and engaged an inbound threat target, and fired a RAM Block 1A that successfully intercepted the target.
Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Area and Mission Defense product line at Raytheon Missile Systems said:
This test success marks a major milestone toward full operation and employment of the SeaRAM system on U.S. Navy ships. SeaRAM demonstrated that it is a vital weapon for defending navies against anti-ship cruise missiles.
The exercise was also designed to provide information to reduce risk in future combat and certification exercises for the LCS.
Raytheon’s Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system that acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. Intended to enlarge Phalanx’s keep-out range against evolving anti-ship missiles, rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft and other threats, SeaRAM Anti-ship Missile Defense Systems use advanced Phalanx Block 1B sensors and replace the gun with an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile guide. SeaRAM is aboard the Independence variant of the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ships.
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Image: Raytheon