The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), SeaRAM is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the American, Turkish, German, Greek, Saudi, Egyptian, and the South Korean navies. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship cruise missiles. The missile is named because it rolls around its longitudinal axis during its flight to stabilize its flight path, and it is the only US Navy missile that does so.
The Rolling Airframe Missiles, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, comprise the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) unit weighs 5,777 kilograms (12,736 lb 2 oz) and stores 21 missiles. The original weapon cannot employ its own sensors prior to firing so it must be integrated with a ship's combat system, which directs the launcher at targets. On American ships it is integrated with the AN/SWY-2 Ship Defense Surface Missile System (SDSMS) and Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Mk 1 or Mk 2 based combat systems. SeaRAM, a weapon system model equipped with independent sensors is undergoing testing.
| RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (SeaRAM) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Close-in weapons system |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1992-present |
| Used by | United States, Turkey, Germany, Greece, South Korea, Egypt, United Arab Emirates |
| Production history | |
| Designer | General Dynamics (now Raytheon) / Diehl BGT Defence |
| Designed | 1976 |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics (now Raytheon) / Diehl BGT Defence |
| Unit cost | $440,000 (unit) |
| Produced | 1985-present |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 5,777 kg (12,740 lb) (launcher) 73.5 kilograms (162 lb 1 oz) (missile) |
| Length | 2.79 m (9 ft 2 in) (missile) |
| | |
| Effective range | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
| Warhead | blast fragmentation warhead |
| Warhead weight | 11.3 kg (24 lb 15 oz) |
| | |
| Wingspan | 434 mm (17.1 in) |
| Propellant | solid |
| Speed | In excess of Mach 2 |
| Guidance system | three modes—passive radio frequency/infrared homing, infrared only, or infrared dual mode enabled (radio frequency and infrared homing) |
| Launch platform | Mk 144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) of the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) |
Variants
Block 0
Also known as RIM-116A in US service, the original version called Block 0 whose design is based on that of the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, from which it took its rocket motor, fuze, and warhead. Block 0 missiles initially home in on active radiation emitted from a target (such as the radar of an incoming anti-ship missile). Then, the terminal guidance is done by an infrared seeker derived from that of the FIM-92 Stinger missile. In test firings, the Block 0 missiles achieved hit rates of over 95%.
Block 1
The Block 1 (RIM-116B) is an enhanced version of the RAM missile that adds an overall infrared-only guidance system that enables it to intercept missiles that are not emitting any radar signals. The Block 0's passive radar homing capabilities have been retained.
Block 2
The Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2 is an upgraded version of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) ship self-defense missile system. The RAM Block 2 missile upgrade aim is to more effectively counter the emerging threat of more maneuverable anti-ship missiles. The US Navy awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $105 million Block 2 RAM development contract on May 8, 2007, with the missile development expected to complete by December 2010.
HAS Mode
In 1998, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the defense departments of Germany and the United States to improve the system, so that it could also engage so-called "HAS", Helicopter, Aircraft, and Surface targets. As developed, the HAS upgrade just required software modifications that can be applied to all Block 1 RAM missiles.
SeaRAM (weapon system)
The SeaRAM combines the radar and electro-optical system of the Phalanx CIWS Mk-15 Block 1B with an 11-cell RAM launcher to produce an autonomous system - one which does not need any external information to engage threats. Like the Phalanx, SeaRAM can be fitted to any class of ship. This is still in trial stages and not currently being procured by the US Navy.
In 2008 a SeaRAM system was delivered to be installed on USS Independence (LCS-2).
General characteristics (Block 1)
- Primary Function: Surface-to-Air Missile
- Contractor: Raytheon, Diehl BGT Defence
- Length: 2.79 m (9 ft 2 in)
- Diameter: 127 mm (5.0 in)
- Fin span: 434 mm (1 ft 5.1 in)
- Speed: Mach 2.0+
- Warhead: 11.3 kg (24.9 lb) blast fragmentation
- Launch Weight: 73.5 kg (162 lb)
- Range: 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Guidance System: three modes—passive radio frequency/infrared homing, infrared only, or infrared dual mode enabled (radio frequency and infrared homing)
- Unit Cost: $444,000
- Date Deployed: 1992
