Rolling Airframe Missile Block II to Begin Flight Testing

By
Tamir Eshel
-
5152
RAM has been continually improved to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat of anti-ship missiles, helicopters, aircraft and surface craft. RAM Block 1 incorporated a new image-scanning seeker with the added capability of autonomous IR all-the-way guidance, thus countering advanced anti-ship missiles that do not employ on-board radar seekers. Enhanced digital signal processing further provides increased resistance to countermeasures and superior performance in severe IR background conditions. An advanced optical target detection device is incorporated to detect very low sea-skimming threats. The Block 1A configuration incorporated additional signal processing capabilities to defeat helicopters, aircraft and surface craft. Block 1A is in rate production for the Consortium countries and the other countries procuring RAM. Photo: Raytheon

Raytheon Company and its German industry partner, RAMSYS, completed missile upgrades and integration testing as part of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 program. The partnership completed five control test vehicle flights and met all upgrade requirements for Block 2. The missile is expected to begin guided flight tests later in 2011, followed by the program entry low rate production in late 2012.

RAM has been continually improved to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat of anti-ship missiles, helicopters, aircraft and surface craft. RAM Block 1 incorporated a new image-scanning seeker with the added capability of autonomous IR all-the-way guidance, thus countering advanced anti-ship missiles that do not employ on-board radar seekers. Enhanced digital signal processing further provides increased resistance to countermeasures and superior performance in severe IR background conditions. An advanced optical target detection device is incorporated to detect very low sea-skimming threats. The Block 1A configuration incorporated additional signal processing capabilities to defeat helicopters, aircraft and surface craft. Block 1A is in rate production for the Consortium countries and the other countries procuring RAM. Photo: Raytheon

RAM Block 2 features enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio frequency receiver, a new rocket motor and an upgraded autopilot system. These improvements enable the missile to outpace evolving threats.

RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile providing defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne threats, and hostile surface craft.

Block 2, the next step in the spiral development of the Rolling Airframe Missile, is a kinematic and RF receiver upgrade. A larger, more powerful rocket motor and advanced control section make the missile three times more maneuverable with twice the effective intercept range. This provides the Block 2 missile with the capability to defeat high-maneuver threats as well as the ability to intercept crossing threats. An enhanced RF receiver allows detection of anti-ship missiles that employ low probability of intercept radars. Photo: Raytheon

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