Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded a $250 million contract from Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for ESSM Block 2 licensed production.
RTX press release
Under the Direct Commercial Sale contract, Raytheon will provide missile kits, parts, and components as well as technical support for missile production at MELCO in Japan.
“This innovative licensed production arrangement is the culmination of decades of partnership,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “As Japan invests in this critical weapon system, it will strengthen their defense capabilities while reinforcing the vital security alliance between our nations.”
Raytheon and MELCO have a longstanding partnership spanning over 50 years on critical defense programs. This contract represents the latest chapter in their collaborative relationship and allows Japan to enhance its domestic defense manufacturing and missile defense capabilities, while also strengthening the broader U.S.-Japan security partnership.
ESSM Block 2 is a short to medium-range, ship-launched, dual-mode, guided missile that has increased maneuverability and improved performance over its Block 1 predecessor. The newest variant reduces dependence on shipboard illumination and is integrated on a wide variety of combat systems and launchers, delivering improved performance in stressing marine environments, and has significant digital processing margin to keep pace with evolving threats through software improvements.
Japan is a customer nation of ESSM, which is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium composed of 12 nations.
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Naval News comment:
Raytheon’s ESSM Block 2. File picture: US Navy
ESSM is a medium-range, all-weather, semi-active radar-guided missile used in surface-to-air and surface-to-surface roles. ESSM represents more than four decades of technology and design improvements by a 43-year international cooperative partnership composed of 12 nations, 10 of which employ ESSM (and FMS to 3 countries: Japan, UAE and Thailand).
As a tail-controlled missile, ESSM uses enhancements to its guidance system to take advantage of improved seeker sensitivity, increased propulsion and greater weapon accuracy. These features enable ESSM to arrive at the intercept point with more endgame speed and agility to counter the threat.
ESSM’s capability bridges the gap between close-in air defense and local area defense systems. Its kinematics result in reduced time to target. It is a Multi-mission weapon system is effective against high-speed or low-velocity threats.
According to open sources, the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) has a range of about 27 nautical miles (50 Km) and a top speed of Mach 4+.
Unlike Block 1, Block 2’s active radar homing seeker will support terminal engagement without the launch ship’s target illumination radars. The improved ESSM Block 2 will be fielded by the US Navy from 2020.
AloJapan.com