RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile

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The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, South Korean, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Mexican, UAE, and United States navies. It was originally intended and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship missiles. As its name indicates, RAM rolls as it flies. The missile must roll during flight because the RF tracking system uses a two-antenna interferometer that can measure phase interference of the electromagnetic wave in one plane only. The rolling interferometer permits the antennas to look at all planes of incoming energy. In addition, because the missile rolls, only one pair of steering canards is required.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Asof, it is the only U.S. Navy missile to operate in this manner.<ref name=a>Template:Cite book</ref>

The Rolling Airframe Missiles, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, make up the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) unit weighs Template:Convert 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 U.S. 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 launcher variant equipped with independent sensors derived from the Vulcan Phalanx CIWS, is being installed on Littoral Combat Ships and certain Template:Sclasss.

Development

The RIM-116 was developed by General Dynamics's Pomona and Valley Systems divisions under a July 1976 agreement with Denmark and West Germany (the General Dynamics missile business was later acquired by Hughes Aircraft and is today part of Raytheon). Denmark dropped out of the program, but the U.S. Navy joined in as the major partner. The Mk 49 launcher was evaluated on board the destroyer Template:USS in the late 1980s.<ref name=a/> The first 30 missiles were built in FY85, and they became operational on 14 November 1992, onboard Template:USS.

SeaRAM was developed in response to concerns about the performance of gun-based systems against modern supersonic sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. It was designed as a companion self-defense system to Phalanx.<ref name="SeaRAM datasheet">Raytheon. SeaRAM datasheet.</ref>

Service

The RIM-116 is in service on several American and 30 German warships. All newly laid German Navy warships will be equipped with the RAM, such as the modern Template:Sclasss, which mount two RAM launchers per ship. The Greek Navy has equipped the new Super Vita–class fast attack craft with the RAM. South Korea has signed license-production contracts for their navy's KDX-II, KDX-III, and Template:Sclasss.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy plans to purchase a total of about 1,600 RAMs and 115 launchers to equip 74 ships. The missile is currently active aboard Template:Sclasss, Template:Sclasss, Template:Sclasss, Template:Sclasss, Template:Sclass ships, Template:Sclasss, Template:Sclasss, and littoral combat ships (LCS).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Variants

File:RIM-116 Loading.jpg
Sailors handle the rolling airframe missile system aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Template:USS.
File:USS Theodore Roosevelt conducts a live-fire exercise.jpg
The aircraft carrier Template:USS launches a Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).
File:USS America (LHA 6) launching a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile.jpg
USS America (LHA 6) launching a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile

Block 0

The original version of the missile, called Block 0, is based on the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, whose rocket motor, fuze, and warhead are used. Block 0 missiles were designed to initially home in on radiation emitted from a target (such as the active radar of an incoming anti-ship missile), switching to an infrared seeker derived from that of the FIM-92 Stinger missile for terminal guidance. In test firings, the Block 0 missiles achieved hit rates of over 95%.

Block 1

The Block 1 (RIM-116B) is an improved 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 radar homing capabilities have been retained.

Block 2

The Block 2 (RIM-116C) is an upgraded version of the RAM missile aimed at more effectively countering more maneuverable anti-ship missiles through a four-axis independent control actuator system, increased rocket motor capability to 15.8 cm (6.25–inch) diameter, an improved passive radio frequency seeker and upgraded components of the infrared seeker, and advanced kinematics.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 8 May 2007, the U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $105 million development contract. Development was expected to be completed by December 2010. LRIP began in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

Fifty-one missiles were initially ordered. On 22 October 2012, the RAM Block 2 completed its third guided test vehicle flight, firing two missiles in a salvo and directly hitting the target, to verify the system's command and control capabilities, kinematic performance, guidance system, and airframe capabilities. Raytheon was scheduled to deliver 25 Block 2 missiles during the program's integrated testing phase.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Block 2 RAM was delivered to the U.S. Navy in August 2014,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with 502 missiles to be acquired from 2015 to 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Block 2 RAM was achieved on 15 May 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In early 2018 the U.S. State Department approved the sale of RIM-116 Block II to the Mexican Navy for use on their future Sigma-class design frigates, the first of which was jointly built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and launched in November 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Block 2B

At the IndoPacific 2025 Convention in Sydney, in interview with Naval News a Raytheon Australia representative declared the Block 2B was operational and on offer to the Royal Australian Navy as part of the Enhanced Mogami Build. In the same interview the Raytheon Australia representative gave the publicly disclosed range of the Block 2B as 10 Nautical Miles. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeaK8Smf_xI</ref>

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

File:SeaRAM on USS Canberra (LCS 30).jpg
SeaRAM on USS Canberra (LCS 30)

The SeaRAM combines the radar and electro-optical system<ref name=a/> of the Phalanx CIWS Mk-15 Block 1B (CRDC) 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. Due to the common mounting, SeaRAM inherits the relatively easy installation characteristics of its gun-based sibling, with Raytheon stating that SeaRAM "fits the exact shipboard installation footprint of the Phalanx, uses the same power and requires minimal shipboard modification". In 2008, the first SeaRAM system was delivered to be installed on Template:USS.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:As of, one SeaRAM is fitted to each Independence-class vessel.<ref name="Navtech">Template:Cite web</ref> In late 2014, the Navy revealed it had chosen to install the SeaRAM on its Small Surface Combatant LCS follow-on ships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Beginning in November 2015, the Navy will complete installation of a SeaRAM on the first of four Template:Sclasss patrolling within the U.S. 6th Fleet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The SeaRAM will equip the Royal Saudi Navy's multi-mission surface combat (MMSC) based on the Template:Sclasss.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

General characteristics

Primary function: Surface-to-air missile
Contractor: Raytheon, Diehl BGT Defence

Block 1


Block 1A<ref name=":0" />


Block 2<ref name=":0" />

Operators

Current operators

File:RIM-116 operators.png
Map with RIM-116 operators in blue

Future operators

The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced on 14 January 2021 that it wants to purchase the Rolling Airframe Missile to upgrade several of its ships, including the landing platform docks HNLMS Rotterdam and HNLMS Johan de Witt, the support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman and its new anti-submarine warfare frigates.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Canadian Government on 28 June 2024 when announcing the Template:Sclass2s published a fact sheet that showed the Rolling Airframe Missile, replacing the previously selected CAMM for the close in defence role.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Royal Australian Navy will be using SeaRAM as the CIWS of its general purpose frigate and is considering introducing RAM to replace the in-service Phalanx with the Hunter-class frigates being the first new combatant to feature the Mk144 launcher from the start.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

References

Notes

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