The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) refers to a lightweight, quick-reaction,
fire-and-forget missile. It was designed to destroy anti-ship cruise missiles and asymmetric
air and surface threats. The RIM-116 RAM was developed as a collaboration project between
the U.S. and German governments and continues to be cooperatively produced and supported. Currently
there are two RIM-116 configurations namely: Block 1A (RIM-116B) and Block 2 (RIM-116C). Block 1A is
nearly finished with full rate production. Meanwhile the RAM Block 2 configuration is
currently in low-rate initial production and undergoing Developmental and Operational Testing.
In regard to the development, the RIM-116 was developed by General Dynamics Pomona and
Valley Systems divisions under a July 1976 agreement with Denmark and West Germany,
the General Dynamics missile company which is today part of Raytheon. At that time,
Denmark withdrew from the program while the US Navy joined in as the major partner. The Mk 49
launcher was evaluated on board the destroyer USS David R. Ray in the late 1980s. The first 30
missiles were manufactured in FY85 and went into service on 14 November 1992, on board USS Peleliu.
If we take a closer look at the features, the RIM-116 RAM is designed as a high-firepower,
low-cost, self-defence system against anti-ship cruise missiles and other asymmetric threats.
The original Block 0 design was based upon the infra-red seeker of the Stinger missile,
and the warhead, rocket motor and fuse from the Sidewinder missile.
The Block 0 configuration provide Radio Frequency (RF) for midcourse guidance and transitions to
Infrared (IR) guidance for terminal engagement, also no shipboard support needed after missile
launch. The Block 1A incorporates the added capability of autonomous IR-all-the-way guidance,
thus countering advanced anti-ship cruise missiles that do not employ onboard radar seekers.
Furthermore, the Block 2 provides kinematic and guidance improvements to the missile
for countering manoeuvring threats and regaining battlespace. It features a Control Section upgrade
(4 canards vs. current 2), a Propulsion Section upgrade (which is a larger, composite case rocket
motor) and an Evolved Radio Frequency receiver. RAM Block 2 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was
achieved in May 2015. Approval for full rate production was received in November 2018.
Moving on to the following scene, we will identify where actually this missile commonly installed.
The Rolling Airframe Missiles is deployed worldwide via the MK49 RAM Guided Missile
Launching System and the MK15 Mod 32 SeaRAM Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) on more than
100 ships. It ranges from fast patrol boats to aircraft carriers and is being
installed on a majority of new USN ship classes such as LHA 6, CVN 78,
and FFG(x). The RIM-116 RAM is also deployed on the LCS ship class utilizing MK15 Mod 31
SeaRAM CIWS and DDG (64/71/75/78) utilizing MK15 Mod 33 SeaRAM CIWS.
The RIM-116 RAM is fully in service with the U.S., German and allied Navies including South Korea,
Greece, Egypt, UAE, Turkey and Japan with approximately 5000 missiles produced
throughout the life of the program. As its name indicates, RAM rolls as it flies. The
missile needs to roll during flight because the RF tracking system uses a two-antenna
interferometer to measure phase interference of the electromagnetic wave in one plane only.
The rolling interferometer allows the antennas to look at all planes of incoming energy.
In addition, because the missile rolls, only one pair of steering canards is required.
As of 2005, it is the only U.S. Navy missile to operate in this method.
Talking about its service history, the RIM-116 has been in operation
since 1992 until present especially on several American and 30 German warships.
All new German Navy warships is equipped with the RAM, such as the new Braunschweig-class corvettes,
which will mount two RAM launchers per ship. The Greek Navy has also equipped the new Super
Vita–class fast attack craft with the RAM. South Korea has agreed the license-production
contracts for their navy's KDX-II, KDX-III, and Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship.
Moving on further, we will identify some variants of this missile including:
First, the Block 0, which is the original version of the missile. It was based on the
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, whose rocket motor, fuze, and warhead were used.
Block 0 missiles were built to initially home in on radiation emitted from a target
(such as the active radar of an incoming anti-ship missile), switching to an infrared
seeker derived from that of the FIM-92 Stinger missile for terminal guidance.
In test firings, the Block 0 missiles achieved hit rates of over 95%.
Moreover, the Block 1, which is known as RIM-116B. It is a more advance variant of the RAM missile
that adds an overall infrared-only guidance system that allows it to intercept missiles
that are not emitting any radar signals. The Block 0's radar homing capabilities have been retained.
Followed by the Block 2 variant. It is an upgraded version of the RAM missile aimed
at more effectively countering more manoeuvrable anti-ship missiles. On 8 May 2007, the US Navy
granted Raytheon Missile Systems a $105 million development contract which was expected to be
completed by December 2010. LRIP began in 2012, 51 missiles were initially requested.
On 22 October 2012, the RAM Block 2 completed its third guided test vehicle flight, firing two
missiles in a salvo and directly striking the target. This test is intended to evaluate the
system's command and control capabilities, kinematic performance, guidance system,
and airframe capabilities. Moreover, Raytheon was expected to deliver 25 of Block 2 missiles
during the program's integrated testing phase. The Block 2 RAM was delivered to
the U.S. Navy in August 2014, with precisely 502 missiles to be acquired from 2015 to 2019.
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Block 2 RAM was achieved on 15 May 2015.
The next one is HAS mode. In 1998, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the defence
departments of Germany and the United States to enhance the system, so that it could also engage
the so-called "HAS", Helicopter, Aircraft, and Surface targets. As developed, the HAS upgrade
just required software modifications that can be deployed to all Block 1 RAM missiles.
The last one is SeaRAM weapon system. The SeaRAM combines the radar and electrooptical system of
the Phalanx CIWS Mk-15 Block 1B (CRDC) with an 11-cell RAM launcher to create an autonomous
system, one which does not need any external information to engage threats. Similar to the
Phalanx, SeaRAM can be installed to any class of ship. The first SeaRAM system was delivered
in 2008 to be installed on USS Independence. As of December 2013, one SeaRAM is fitted to each
Independence-class vessel. Moreover, the Navy announced in late 2014 that the SeaRAM would be
installed on the Small Surface Combatant LCS follow-on ships. Beginning in November 2015,
the Navy will complete installation of a SeaRAM on the first of four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers
patrolling within the U.S. 6th Fleet. In addition, the SeaRAM will also equip the Royal Saudi Navy's
multi-mission surface combat (MMSC) based on the Freedom-class littoral combat ships.
In relation to the U.S. Navy, they are purchasing a total of 1,600 RAMs and 115 launchers to equip
74 ships. According to Raytheon updates, the average price of this missile can reach up to
US$998,000 in FY2014, or US$905,330 in FY2021. This missile is also currently active aboard
on several ships including Gerald R. Ford-class, Nimitz-class, Wasp-class amphibious assault ships,
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship,
Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships, and littoral combat ships to name a few.
That’s all for today, thanks for watching and see you next time!