RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile
The Navy's RIM-7M Sea Sparrow and the Air Force's AIM-7 Sparrow are radar-guided, air-to-air missiles with high explosive warheads. They have a cylindrical body with four wings at mid-body and four tail fins. The Navy uses the Sea Sparrow version aboard ships as a surface-to-air anti-missile defense. The versatile Sparrow has all-weather, all-altitude operational capability and can attack high-performance aircraft and missiles from any direction. It is widely deployed by U.S. and NATO forces. The Sea Sparrow is found aboard many U.S. and NATO surface warships.

NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System (NSSMS)
The NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System (NSSMS) Mk 57 is a medium-range, rapid-reaction, missile weapon system that provides the capability of destroying hostile aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and airborne and surface missile platforms with surface-to-air missiles. The NSSMS can also be used to detect missile launchings by a surface vessel utilizing the NSSMS surveillance radar capability. The NSSMS consists of a Guided Missile Fire Control System (GMFCS) Mk 91 and a Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) Mk 29. The GMFCS is a computer-operated fire control system that provides automatic acquisition and tracking of a designated target, generates launcher and missile orders, and in the automatic mode initiates the firing command when the target becomes engageable. Although most of the NSSMS operations are carried out under automatic or semi-automatic conditions, the GMFCS permits operator intervention and override at any time. The GMLS is a rapid-reaction, lightweight launching system that provides on-mount stowage and launch capability of up to eight missiles. The GMLS responds to launcher position commands, missile orders, and control commands issued by GMFCS. The NSSMS employs AIM/RIM-7 Sparrow III series, surface-to-air/surface-to-surface semi-active homing missiles. The RIM-7 version is commonly referred to as SEASPARROW. The missile utilizes the energy reflected from the target and from rear reference RF (transmitted from the director system) for developing missile wing movement orders enabling target intercept.

The NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System Mk 57 Mod 6 is a medium-range, rapid-reaction system using a semi-active homing missile. This version of the NSSMS is a restructured design utilizing the Reflected Memory Local Area Network fiber optic cable. The NSSMS Mod 6 consists of a Tracking Illuminator System (TIS) Mk 9 Mod 0 and a Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) Mk 29 Mod 2. The TIS is a computer-operated fire control system that provides automatic acquisition and tracking of a designated target, generates launcher and missile orders, and in the automatic mode initiates the firing command when the target becomes engageable. Although most of the NSSMS operations are carried out under automatic or semi-automatic conditions, the TIS permits operator intervention and override at any time. The GMLS is a rapid-reaction, lightweight launching system that provides on-mount stowage and launch capability of up to eight missiles. The GMLS responds to launcher position commands, missile orders, and control commands issued by TIS. The NSSMS employs Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) or RIM-7M/P/R, which is a high velocity and extremely agile missile with semi-active radar homing.

According to the Navy's Material Readiness Database for fiscal years 1997 through 1999, the SLQ-32 electronic warfare system, NATO Sea Sparrow Surface Missile System (NSSMS), Phalanx Close-in Weapon System, and the SPS-48E radar system were among the ship self-defense systems with the lowest availability rates. The Navy's measure of effectiveness for Equipment Operational Capability (availability) is classified in the following manner: Operable = Greater than 0.8; Minor problems = 0.7 - 0.8; Limited capability = 0.5 - 0.6; Major problems = 0.3 - 0.4; Inoperative = 0 - 0.2.


Equipment type and
version Availability ratea Impediments to availability
FY 97 FY 98 FY 99

NSSMS
Failure and high cost of
Mark 57 Bl components, excessive parts usage,
1R/mods2/3 0.79 0.84 0.78 nonavailability of parts onboard,
excessive operational tempo, and
maintenance requirements.


Originally developed by Sperry and the U.S. Navy, Sparrow's later versions were developed and produced by Raytheon Co. and General Dynamics.

Rearchitectured NATO Sea Sparrow Surface Missile System (RNSSMS)
In July 1995, the Navy awarded a contract to develop the necessary software and hardware for a Rearchitectured NATO Sea Sparrow Surface Missile System (RNSSMS). When fully developed and tested, the RNSSMS will replace the legacy NSSMS closed architecture design and unique display consoles with an open, distributed processing architecture and Navy standard display consoles. Specific features of the new design include, but are not limited to, cross utilization of launchers and directors, reduced manning requirements, and interoperability with SSDS MK II. Collectively, these features will improve system operational availability, reliability, and mission effectiveness. They will also improve a ship's ability to meet its capstone requirements. As of late April 2000, initial RNSSMS production systems were delivered for installation aboard LHD 7 and CVN 68. In May 2000, the system's software began LHD class configuration combat system level testing at the Navy's Integrated Combat System Test Facility in Point Loma, California, to be completed by October 2000. The current RNSSMS program schedule, which includes integration testing with SSDS MK II, provides the first fully operational systems on LHD 7 in April 2001 and on CVN 68 in December 2001. RNSSMS hardware installations in CVN 76 and 69 are planned during fiscal years 2000 through 2002. The Navy also plans to install the system on the entire LHD ship class, all remaining CVN ships, and one conventional carrier (CV 67) between 2003 and 2006. The RNSSMS is intended to help pave the way for the next generation of self-defense systems.

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)
The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is a short range missile intended to provide self-protection for surface ships. It will provide each ship with the capability to engage a variety of antiship cruise missiles (ASCMs) and aircraft to support self defense. ESSM is a coordinated effort with numerous nations in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This coordinated effort allows all NATO countries to have the same self defense capability and at the same time, reduce the cost to each country associated with developing and testing new systems.

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is an improved version of the RIM-7 missile with a new rocket motor, associated tail control section, new warhead, and guidance upgrades. A faster missile with an improved payload and range, the ESSM will have enhanced capability to destroy next generation anti-ship cruise missiles. It will be more capable against low observable highly maneuverable missiles, have longer range, and can make flight corrections via radar and midcourse uplinks.

The ESSM is an international cooperative effort being designed to operate with current and future fire control systems and with the capability of being fired from three existing missile launchers. On Aegis ships, ESSM will be launched from the MK 41 Vertical Launch System, requiring a thrust vector control system on the ESSM rocket. On non-Aegis ships (aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, other surface combatants), it will be fired from other launch systems.

ESSM uses an 8 inch diameter forebody that includes a modified guidance section from the in-service RIM-7P Sea Sparrow. The guidance section, which includes a radome-protected antenna for semiactive homing, attaches to a new warhead section. The forebody is attached to a new 10 inch diameter rocket motor which provides higher thrust for longer duration than predecessor Sea Sparrow missiles. ESSM will use skid-to-turn steering (tail control) whereas earlier Sea Sparrows were wing-controlled. ESSM will retain capability of the RIM-7P missile but will also have capability against maneuvering anti-ship missiles.

The new RIM-7P software features advanced guidance algorithims that enable Seasparrow to counter the most formidable threats. The missile?s Improved Low Altitude Guidance (LAG) mode makes the RIM-7P exceptionally effective against very low altitude threats, such as sea skimming cruise missiles. In addition, the missile has proven to be highly effective in stressing Electronic Attack (EA) environments.

A Jet Vane Control (JVC) unit allows the RIM-7P to be vertically launched. The JVC unit rotates the missile immediately after it has cleared a ship?s superstructure, cancels the missile?s initial upward velocity, and controls transition to the initial intercept path. Once the seeker is pointing toward a target, the JVC is jettisoned. Vertical launch capability provides quick-reaction, 360-degree defense and eliminates trainable firing restrictions and time consuming slew requirements.

In December 1997, an ESSM blast test vehicle was successfully fired from an industry developed prototype that utilized a MK 41 Vertical Launching System Quad Pack cannister. In March 1998, a test firing that utilized a MK 48 Guided Vertical Launching System was successfully conducted. In mid-1998, however, the program began experiencing technical problems. The technical problems involved the new digital autopilot software and the control actuator assembly in the missile. The autopilot software had to be redesigned causing a program delay of about nine months. Concurrently, efforts were expended to modify the control actuator assembly. Collectively, both problems resulted in a program delay of 13 months and a US cost growth of about $22 million.

In November 1999, the ESSM program conducted a test firing that did not achieve all required objectives. Upon investigation, the program office learned that a control actuator assembly was missing a critical component. During the next scheduled test firing in March 2000, the test firing was successful, accomplishing all remaining controlled test vehicle objectives and initial guided test vehicle objectives.

It is expected to be available to the fleet around 2002.

In Sept 2002 the first production Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) was delivered to the U.S. Navy by the Raytheon Company. The final phase of the missile?s flight test program is scheduled for early spring 2003, when performance with the AEGIS Fire Control System of the U.S. Navy?s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers will be verified.


Specifications
Primary Function Air-to-air and surface-to-air radar-guided missile
Contractors Raytheon Co. and General Dynamics
Power Plant Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor
Thrust Classified
Speed More than 2,660 mph (4,256 kph)
Range More than 30 nautical miles (approximately 55 km)
[Maximum Range = 6 nm according to other sources]
Minimum Range - 1600 yards
Director Lock-on Range - 50 nautical miles
Length 12 feet (3.64 meters)
Diameter 8 inches (20.3 cm)
Wingspan 3 feet 4 inches (one meter)
Warhead Annular blast fragmentation warhead, 90 pounds (40.5 kg)
Proximity fuzed, continuous expanding rod, with a 27 ft. kill radius
fire control systems MK 91
Launch Platform (Launcher) MK 29 Mod 1.
Launch Weight Approximately 500 pounds (225 kg)
Guidance System Raytheon semi-active on continuous wave or pulsed Doppler radar energy
Date Deployed 1976
Unit Cost $165,400
Inventory Classified