The Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Port Hueneme Division has started modifying the U.S. Navy‘s existing surface-to-air ship defense system to support the launch of a new variant of the Raytheon‘s Evolved Seasparrow Missile.
The Naval Sea Systems Command said Monday NSWC PHD is modernizing the NATO Seasparrow Missile System and MK 132 Mod 2 Guided Missile Launcher to integrate the ESSM Block 2 on naval aircraft carriers and landing helicopter dock and assault ships.
Robert Barrett, customer advocate and program manager for NSSMS at Navsea, explained that the MIN MOD modification program will involve deploying a modern launcher that will help the Navy focus on fleet support and obsolescence management.
He added that the effort accelerates the deployment of ESSM Block 2 capabilities to large flat deck vessels.
NSWC PHD is conducting the modification initiative to support the In-Service Engineering Agent of the Future vision, which seeks to support the modernization of the Navy.
Raytheon completed testing activities for ESSM Block 2 in July under NATO’s Seasparrow program.
The company will work to develop and deploy over 2,500 ESSM Block 2 missiles for initial operations by 2020.