Description:
The ESSM is an international cooperative upgrade of the RIM-7 NATO Sea Sparrow missile. It provides increased battlespace against high-speed, highly maneuverability, anti-ship missiles. The ESSM missile can be launched through Mk 25 Quad-Pack canister for the Mk 41 VLS or single pack for the Mk 29 launcher and Mk 48 Guided Missile Vertical Launching System (GMVLS). The missile shipping container is known as the MK783.
The new Sea Sparrow is a tail-controlled missile with thrust vector control , highly maneuverable with increased range. It features inertial guidance and command midcourse navigation with options for S-band and X-band data link, Home all the way and Sample Data Homing terminal guidance.
The partners of the multinational ESSM project are : the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Norway, Spain and Turkey.
In late April 2004, Raytheon was awarded a $233 million full-rate production contract of 368 missiles and spares for Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and the United States of America. The contract should be completed by October 2006.
In early May 2005, Raytheon received a contract modification from the Pentagon to procure 251 ESSM missiles, 38 shipping containers and spares worth around $163 million with deliveries due to complete by October 2007.
On June 8, 2006, Raytheon was awarded a contract with a maximum value of $21.5 million for development, test and delivery of MK 57 and MK 29 NATO SeaSparrow missile systems. The upgraded MK 57 is the missile system variant deployed aboard aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.
Specifications Dimensions: Diameter 200 mm, Length 3.6 m, Width 1 m
Weights: Max Weight 225 kg (496 lb), Warhead 90 kg (198 lb)
Australia
RIM-162B
Belgium
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Japan
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
South Africa
Spain
Turkey
United Arab Emirates / 218 
United States of America