An anti-aircraft missile Evolved Sea Sparrow (RIM-162)

The RIM-162 rocket is built according to the normal aerodynamic scheme (see the scheme) and has a modular design. Structurally, the missile consists of six main compartments: the head, control compartment, combat unit, transition, engine and tail.

The main compartment accommodates a semi-active jamming radar homing head (PARGSN), which provides recognition of high-speed low-flying targets from above against the background of the underlying surface, as well as attack surface targets. The antenna shroud of the head is developed by Corning Corporation (USA) and is made using ceramic material Pyroceram 9606.

In the control compartment are: signal processing unit, antennas and transceivers S or X-band data line. The 39kg high-efficiency shrapnel and blast unit is equipped with a non-contact adaptive fuse with delayed blast, depending on the type of target.

The transition compartment contains an on-board computer, inertial control unit and autopilot.  The marching engine is solid-fuel, with four ultra-small elongation wings and removable locks for the launcher rail. The tail compartment accommodates: engine nozzle, aerodynamic steering drives and the TVC traction vector control system.

The marshal engine - Mk134 Mod 0 - was developed by Orbital ATK in cooperation with NAMMO-Raufoss.

The Mk134 Mod0 engine (see diagram) is a two-mode single-chamber, equipped with a charge of low-smoke mixed fuel. Polyesters with hydroxyl end groups (Hydroxyl Terminated Polyether - HTPE) are used as binder in the charge. The engine casing is made of high-strength low-alloy steel D6AC. The nozzle is connected to the combustion chamber by a gas pipeline running along the axis of the rocket through the tail compartment. Nozzle body is made of steel with heat protection of composite material based on phenolic resin with silicon oxide filler. A graphite insert is installed in the critical section. The peculiarity of Mk134 Mod0 motor is the starting device based on semiconductor laser. The main ignition charge is the granular boron/ potassium nitrate system (BKNO₃).

RIM-162 has a combined guidance system (radio command telecommand, inertial and semi-active radar). When flying on the initial and middle sections of the trajectory, the inertial system with correction by radio commands is used. In the final part of the flight, the target is captured by the homing radar head (Homing-Stick).

The RIM-162 missile is equipped with S-band and X-band data transmission lines, which ensure its use by ships equipped with Aegis and SMART-L/APAR systems. When used in Aegis system the data transmission line is two-way, in SMART-L/APAR - one-way. The RIM-162 is also compatible with other existing combat control systems: NSSM Mk57, Clusters III and IV of the Netherlands Navy, STANFLEX of the Danish Navy, ANZAC 9LV453 and FFG ADACS (Australian Distributed Architecture Combat System) of the Australian Navy.

X-band transmitters can be used to illuminate RIM-162 Surveillance RIM-7: Mk73 mod1 and Mk73 mod3 offered by NSSM consortium, Mk93 mod0 MACWIT of Danish Navy, CX-100 and CX-SSCWI of CEA Technologies of Australian and UAE Navy, Mk92 of Lockheed Martin of Turkish Navy.

In the Aegis weapon system, the AN/SPY-1 radar automatically searches for, detects, escorts a significant number of targets (250-300) and points up to 18 SAMs at the most dangerous ones. The number of guidance channels for missiles in the final section of the trajectory corresponds to the number of AN/SPG-62 target illumination radars and firing control equipment sets (four channels for Ticonderoga cruisers, three channels for Arleigh Burke and DDG173 destroyers). The target illumination radar operates in the frequency range of 5200-10900 MHz, the source data for target tracking with high refresh rate comes from the AN/SPY-1 station. Thus, target acquisition when the LRS is switched to the semi-active guidance mode takes place within a short period of time without any additional search.

Multifunctional radar APAR and perspective AN/SPY-3 carry out detection and tracking of targets, control missiles in the mode of quasi-continuous radiation ICWI (Interrupted Continuous Wave Illumination). This mode provides simultaneous control of 32 missiles, 16 of which are on the final section of the trajectory in a semi-active homing mode.

The program of integration of ESSM SAM and Standard family interceptor missiles as part of the DDG-1000 advanced destroyer armament was designated JUWL (Joint Universal Weapons Link) or ICWI-JUWL. The main contractor of this program is Raytheon Missile Systems. The ESSM missile for the DDG-1000 is based on the version designed for use in the SMART-L/APAR weapon system, but is equipped with a two-way X-band data line. The introduction of a two-way exchange of SAMs and the carrier ship's combat control system required modification of the control system software.

All Sea Sparrow SAM system launchers can be used to launch the RIM-162 ESSM missile, as well as new versions developed specifically for this missile.

RIM-162 variants:

• RIM-162A - for Mk41 HPU ships equipped with the Aegis system;
• RIM-162B - for Mk41 TPU of ships without Aegis BIOS;
• RIM-162C - for Mk48 HPU;
• RIM-162D - for Mk29 HPU;
• RIM-162E - for Mk56 mod 0/1 HPU.

Raytheon's upgraded Mk29 mod4/5 guided missile launcher has been developed for the U.S. Navy. The Mk29 mod4/5 provides storage, pointing and launch of eight RIM-162D Surrounds. Unlike other modifications of this missile, the RIM-162D has no thrust vector control system for the engine.

Installation is equipped with a programmable controller Mk34 mod1 SLC (System Launcher Controller), which provides a given sequence of launching missiles and digital interface with the fire control systems of the carrier ship. The open architecture of SLC allows integration of Mk29 PU with various types of systems. Recharging is carried out manually using a special Mk14 mod2 equipment set (see photo1, photo2). Weight in the charged state is 7023kg, weight in the uncharged state is 4762kg, dimensions of the unit are 3556x3759x2515mm.

PU Mk29 are equipped with frigates: type Wieligen (Belgian Navy), type Bremen - F122 (German Navy), types Tromp, Kontenaer and Jacob van Heemskerck (Dutch Navy), type Oslo (Norwegian Navy), type Vasco da Gama (Portuguese Navy), type Yavuz (Turkish Navy). The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers have three Mk-29 paired installations, one of which is located in the bow on the right side of the sponsor, and two of which are located on the aft deck below the flight deck. U.S. Navy Striker George H.W.Bush is armed with two Mk-29 paired launchers.

Vertical launcher Mk48 (see description) of various versions provides an automated launch of RIM-162C SAM. The standard container of the launcher accommodates two RIM-162C missiles. The unit has no moving mechanical parts, which ensures high reliability and minimum maintenance. Modernized version, Mk48 mod4/5, equipped with the controller Mk220 mod0 provides integration with various fire control systems.

The Mk56 vertical launcher of deck or sub-deck version can carry up to 32 RIM-162E. The Mk56 mod0 PU is designed to automatically start twelve, while the Mk56 mod1 is equipped with eight RIM-162Es. Configurations for 4, 6, 16 and 32 starting cells have been developed. The launch is made from a fiberglass container Mk30 mod 1. Lightweight design, reliability and autonomy allow to place the unit on board ships with displacement from 500 tons. 

To accommodate and launch four RIM-162 ESSM missiles from one Mk41 PU cell (see description), a special Mk25 transport and launch container, the so-called "quadruple self-defence package", has been developed. Mk25 provides physical, electrical and mechanical connections between RIM-162 ESSM and Mk41 PU. The use of the "quadruple package" allows a significant increase in firepower, as it makes it possible to place 32 missiles in the space normally required for eight. The introduction of the Mk25 required the redesign of the software to allow the control of the launch of a specific ELV from the selected TPK.

The U.S. Navy's future Zumwalt (DDG-1000) destroyer has 20 four-container modules for Mk 57 launchers located along port and starboard sides. As standard, the Zumwalt arsenal will include Tactical Tomahawk cruise missiles, ASROC anti-submarine missiles and RIM-162 SAM (four in each firing container).