- The ESSM Block 2 features a range of improvements over the Block 1 variant, including a new warhead
- The anti-air missile market represents a sizeable portion of the global missile market, according to analysis
- The Block 2 missile is being developed by the 12-nation SeaSparrow consortium
US defence munition manufacturer Raytheon announced that it has delivered its 500th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 to the US Navy, amid plans to nearly double production rates by the middle of next year.
Detailed in a 1 October release, Raytheon, which is an RTX business, said the company was investing in infrastructure and material to continue deliveries, setting a timeline for mid-2026 to complete its production ramp-up.
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The ESSM Block 2 is a surface-to-air missile intended to counter air and sea-surface threats, and features a dual-mode active and semi-active radar seeker and increased manoeuvrability and performance compared to the older Block 1 variant.
Uniquely, the ESSM Block 2 leverages Standard Missile 6 technology to “reduce reliance on illuminator support and mitigate challenges in missile sequencing that are inherent in high-density stream raids,” according to the US Director Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E).
The semi-active guidance is retained from ESSM Block 1, with the Block 2 also featuring a new blast fragmentation warhead while also being developed to operate in “challenging electromagnetic environments”, defence shorthand for use in combat situations against peer or near-peer rivals.
In August 2021, the US Navy commenced Phase 1 initial OT&E (IOT&E) in accordance with a DOT&E approved test plan and observed by DOT&E. Data from both phases of IOT&E are required for determination of operational effectiveness, suitability, and cyber survivability of the ESSM Block 2.
The US Navy expected to complete Phase 2 IOT&E in FY25.
US committing funding to ESSM Block 2
An unclassified budget justification dataset from the US Navy stated that increased of funding in Nato Sea Sparrow support from FY 2024 to FY 2025 was “primarily due [to] integration verification and flight testing in support of ESSM Block 2 IOT&E Phase 2 starting in FY 2025”.
According to GlobalData’s Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems market report, the sector is anticipated to register a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%, growing from $55.7bn in 2025 to $98.5bn by 2035.
Including in this sector are anti-air missiles, along with their anti-ship missile threat such capabilities will be expected to counter. The anti-air missile segment will account for 24% of the total market.
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