Newest Egyptian Fast Missile Craft to Be Protected by RAM

Released on Friday, February 10, 2006

The Egyptian navy will outfit its new Fast Missile Craft with a state-of-the art protection system with its decision to acquire Raytheon Company's Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Launching Systems.

Raytheon's Mk49 RAM launchers and associated RAM Block 1A missiles will provide the primary ship self-defense capability for the Fast Missile Craft, built by VT Halter Marine in Gulfport, Missouri. The RAM Block 1A HAS (Helo/Air/Surface) missile is a light weight, quick reaction, high-firepower system designed to provide fire-and-forget defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopters and airborne threats, as well as against hostile surface craft.

The RAM Guided Missile Launching System includes a 21-round light-weight trainable launcher with supporting below-deck electronics and intuitive control interface. RAM is co-developed and co-produced under a long-standing cooperative program between the United States and German governments.

Approximately 50 percent of the production work will be performed at Raytheon Missile System facilities in Louisville, Kentucky, and Tucson, Arizona, with the remaining half to be completed by RAM-System GmbH of Ottobrunn, Germany.