Stennis First With New ESSM

[unhappycamper]

Stennis First With New ESSM
October 08, 2008
Navy News|by MC2 Elliott J. Fabrizio

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea - USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) claimed the first successful hit and kill with the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) during a Combat System Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) off the coast of Southern California.

Stennis' Tactical Action Officer Ens. Clay Cunningham said, "This is the first successful ESSM kill from an aircraft carrier."

Combat systems department launched the new missiles, the RIM-162 D-1, during a live-fire exercise by engaging drones inbound to Stennis.

"The evaluation team from Port Hueneme said Stennis' combat systems team performed at the top of the fleet," said Combat Systems Officer Cmdr. Greg Gaskey.

The ESSM has advantages in range, agility and advanced technology over the RIM-7.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/navy-news/stennis-first-with-new-essm.html



uhc comment: Meet the $640,000 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIM-162

The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. Compared to the Sea Sparrow, ESSM has a larger, more powerful rocket motor for increased range and agility, as well as upgraded aerodynamics using strakes and skid-to-turn. In addition, ESSM takes advantage of the latest missile guidance technology, with different versions for Aegis/SPY-1, Sewaco/APAR, and traditional target illumination all-the-way. ESSM also has the ability to be "quad-packed" in the Mk 41 VLS system, allowing four times the number of Sea Sparrow to be carried.

And they only cost $640,000 a pop --> http://www.deagel.com/Surface-to-Air-Missiles/ESSM_a001158001.aspx