The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $76,1 million contract for the procurement of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block I production material.
Raytheon’s ESSM missile is an international upgrade of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile.
The missile was developed by the U.S. Navy and nine of the other 11-member nations of the NATO Sea Sparrow Consortium.
The ESSM is a defensive naval missile and provides self-defense battlespace and firepower against high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles in the naval environment.
Under the latest contract, purchases for the U.S. Navy amount to 16 percent while purchases for the governments of Australia, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Norway (members of the consortium) amount to 84 percent.
Work will be performed in Germany, Norway, Australia, Denmark and U.S. and is expected to be completed by May 2018.