Defense News:
WASHINGTON ― The NATO Seasparrow Project Office completed an intercept test of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 2 on July 5, when the missile successfully intercepted a BQM-74E aerial target.
This is the first time the ESSM Block 2’s semi-active and active guidance seeker has been tested, according to a NAVSEA news release.
The active seeker improves on its predecessor by sending and receiving electromagnetic signals to improve tracking during flight. This capability makes the missile less dependent on targeting information from ship-based illuminator guidance systems like the U.S. Navy’s SPG-62 radar.
“This flight test is critical to demonstrating the technology for the ESSM Block 2,” said Capt. Bruce Schuette, project manager for the NATO Seasparrow Project. “I am very proud of the entire NATO Seasparrow Project Team, from our industry partners to our field activities and test facilities, for all the extensive work that went into making this event a success.”
