Anti-aircraft missile RAM (RIM-116A)

2024 Author: Matthew Elmers | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:49

Raytheon, together with the German company RAMSYS, developed the RAM (RIM-116A) anti-aircraft missile. RAM was designed as a missile designed to provide surface ships with an effective, inexpensive, lightweight self-defense system capable of hitting attacking anti-ship cruise missiles. RAM is a joint project of the United States and Germany and is part of an autonomous, self-guided (fire-forget) shipborne anti-aircraft missile system for the immediate protection of the ship.

To reduce costs, the RAM used some existing components, including the Chaparral MIM-72 rocket engine, the Sidewinder AIM-9 warhead and the Stinger FIM-92 infrared seeker. The missile can be launched from a launcher for 21 or 11 missiles.

The RAM Block 0 rocket has a 12.7 cm diameter body rotating in flight (unstabilized in roll) and is equipped with a dual-mode passive radio frequency / infrared (RF / IR) homing head. The missile performs the initial target lock in radio frequency mode, aiming at the radar of the attacking missile, after which the target is locked in infrared mode.

The RAM Block 0 operational evaluation was carried out from January to April 1990. Potential operational effectiveness in all climatic and tactical conditions and possible shortcomings and ways to eliminate them were tested. Based on an analysis of the shortcomings revealed during the operational assessment, in April 1993, it was decided to upgrade the rocket to the RAM Block 1 level.

To improve efficiency against a wide range of existing threats, the RAM Block 1 upgrade included a new infrared seeker that operates throughout the entire trajectory of the missile. This contributed to the improvement in the interception ability of cruise missiles with new passive and active seeker. Thus, the Block 1 rocket retained all the capabilities of the Block 0 rocket, while possessing two new guidance modes: infrared only and dual mode including infrared (Dual Mode Enable, IRDM). In the IR mode, the GOS is induced by the heat signature of the RCC. In IRDM mode, the missile is guided to the IR signature of the anti-ship missile system while retaining the ability to use radio frequency guidance in the case when the attacking missile's radar allows this to be done. The RAM Block 1 rocket can be launched in the mode when the infrared seeker works throughout the movement along the entire trajectory of the rocket, as well as in the dual mode (passively guided by the anti-ship missile radar, and then passive IR), used on Block 0.

The Block 1 modernization program was successfully completed in August 1999 with a series of operational tests to demonstrate readiness for adoption. In 10 different scenarios, real Vandal anti-ship missiles and Vandal supersonic missile targets (reaching speeds up to Mach 2.5) were successfully intercepted and destroyed in real conditions. From the first shot, the RAM Block 1 system hit all targets, including those flying at extremely low altitude above the sea surface, diving and highly maneuverable targets in single and group attacks.

During these firing sessions, RAM demonstrated its unique capabilities to intercept the most complex modern threats. To date, a total of more than 180 missiles have been fired against anti-ship missiles and other targets, achieving success in more than 95% of cases.

RAM entered production in 1989 and is currently deployed on more than 80 ships of the American and 30 ships of the German navies. South Korea installed them on its destroyers KDX-II and KDX-III, LPX Dokdo class landing craft. Greece, Egypt, Japan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates / Dubai have also shown interest in the rocket or have already acquired it.

Based on the results of trial operation carried out aboard the landing ship USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) in January 1999, and tests conducted from March to August 1999, RAM Block 1 was found to be effective against various cruise missiles. and recommended for adoption by the fleet. The Block 1 missile was able to successfully intercept 23 of the 24 attack missiles. Serial production was approved in January 2000.

In March 2000, RAM Block 1s were installed on two LSD-class amphibious assault ships and were expected to be installed on two more LSD 41 ships, LHD 7 and CVN 76. Between 2001 and 2006, the US Navy installed Block 1 on 8 LSD 41/49 class ships, 3 DD 963, 12-1 CV / CVN, LHD 7, and also decided to place them on 12 LPD 17 under construction. In addition, in 2007 RAM Block 1 was installed on all five LHA class ships.

In November 1998, the United States and Germany amended the Block 1 program to indicate the amount of work and funding to develop an anti-helicopter, airplane, surface ship (HAS) version. To accomplish these tasks, only a change in the software of the RAM Block 1 rocket was required. The upgrade to the RAM Block 1A level included additional signal processing capabilities for intercepting helicopters, aircraft and surface ships.

The first US combat firing of RAM took place in October 1995 on the USS Peleliu (LHA-5) landing craft. On March 21, 2002, the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) became the first aircraft carrier in the US Navy to fire RAM.

The RAM system on some ships is integrated with the AN / SWY-2 combat system and as a Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) on other LSD-41 ships. AN / SWY-2 consists of a weapon system and a combat control system. The combat control system uses the existing radar of the Mk 23 target detection system and the AN / SLQ-32 (V) auxiliary electronic warfare sensor, along with software for assessing threats and allocating means of destruction on the Mk 23. RAM, along with SSDS, are part of the ship's defense system. For example, a typical LSD 41 class amphibious assault system includes RAM, a Phalanx Block 1A melee system, and a decoy launch system. The self-defense system (SSDS), in turn, includes radars AN / SPS-49 (V) 1, AN / SPS-67, AN / SLQ-32 (V) and CIWS.

The SEA RAM system has been developed to defend ships in the near air defense zone from massive attacks of low-flying cruise missiles. It combines elements of the Phalanx melee weapon system and RAM guided missiles. This approach expands the range of the melee weapon system and allows the ship to effectively operate on multiple targets simultaneously. To do this, a launcher with 11 containers of RAM Block 1 missiles is installed on a modified carriage of a rapid-fire 20-mm ZAK Phalanx., fast and reliable Phalanx Block 1B response. On February 1, 2001, SEA RAM was deployed for testing aboard the Royal Navy destroyer HMS YORK.

On May 8, 2007, the US Navy and Raytheon signed a $ 105 million contract for the development of RAM Block 2. In May 2013, Raytheon announced successful combat firing of the RAM Block 2 missile, during which the missiles hit two high-speed, maneuvering, subsonic targets have successfully confirmed the inherent characteristics.

"The success of the RAM Block 2 tests follows a series of successful tests of the guidance system," said Rick Nelson, Raytheon's vice president of Naval Missile and Defense Systems. RAM Block 2 increases the missile's kinematic capabilities, along with its advanced guidance system. will continue to provide the fleet with a significant advantage in battle."

Raytheon and its German partner RAMSYS received an order for the 61st RAM Block 2 rocket in December 2012. At the beginning of 2013, the company received an order for the production of RAM Block 2 for the German fleet in the amount of $ 155.6 million. The US intends to purchase 2,093 RAM Block 2 missiles.

The RAM Block 2 upgrade includes a four-axle independent power drive of control surfaces and a more powerful main engine, which approximately doubles the effective interception range of the missile and almost triples its maneuverability. The passive radio-frequency homing head, digital autopilot and individual components of the infrared seeker also underwent modernization.

In March 2013, the German government signed a $ 343.6 million contract with Raytheon and RAMSYS GmbH for the production of 445 RIM-116 Block 2 missiles. Deliveries should be completed by January 2019.