Arizona Daily Star:
Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems says its latest version of a ship-defense system, co-developed with Germany, has successfully intercepted a missile target.
Raytheon’s SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense system used a Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 for the first time to intercept an incoming target during a U.S. Navy live-fire exercise at China Lake in California.
During a test conducted in November and announced on Monday, the system detected, tracked and engaged an inbound threat, and fired a RAM Block 2 that successfully intercepted the target, Raytheon said.
The SeaRAM system was configured with a nearby Phalanx Close-In Weapon System, made by Raytheon, similar to how the two systems would be deployed together on Navy destroyers, the company said.
The SeaRAM is a hybrid system, consisting of an 11-round Rolling Airframe Missile launcher mounted on a Phalanx chassis and radar unit. The Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system designed to detect, track and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship-defense systems.
Both systems are designed to defend against air threats, including low-flying anti-ship cruise missiles, which pose a danger to aircraft carriers and other large warships.
The RAM Block 2 missile version, which was declared initially ready for service last May, features enhanced maneuverability and range as well as improved radio receivers and control systems, Raytheon says.
The RAM Block 1 missile has a reported effective intercept range of about 5.6 miles; Raytheon says the Block 2 missile is 2½ times more maneuverable with 1½ times the effective range.
