Raytheon has signed a $525-million contract to deliver Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block 2 for the US Navy and allies.
The warhead’s latest variant offers enhanced performance compared to its predecessor while reducing dependence on shipboard lighting solutions at sea, enabling sustained medium-range lethality in austere environments.
It measures 4 meters (13 feet) and is powered by a solid propellant for speeds over Mach 4 (4,939 kilometers/3,069 miles per hour) against targets at more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.
Including the US, the ship-launched, surface-to-air guided missile is currently used by 12 NATO countries.
“The role of self-ship and local area defense has become increasingly important, and ESSM Block 2 delivers critical capability in this mission,” Raytheon Naval Power President Barbara Borgonovi stated.
“By partnering with the US Navy and allied navies, we’re ensuring this versatile system is ready to support our fleets around the world.”
Progress of ESSMs
The US Navy awarded a separate contract to BAE Systems worth $37 million in July 2023 to design and deliver ESSM missiles for the service.
Before that, Raytheon accepted a $55-million contract in December 2021 to upgrade the Sea Sparrow for the US and partner nations.
The navy announced the long-lead material agreement with the company for ESSM Block 2 low-rate initial production in 2018.
“Leveraging learning from other active seeker systems – such as AMRAAM and Standard Missile 6 – RTX is using common hardware and factory processes across multiple missile platforms to enable cost savings and increased production capacity,” Raytheon said in its latest ESSM contract.
“Additionally, the consortium continues to invest in test infrastructure and material to keep capacity ahead of demand and accelerate deliveries.”