The NATO Seasparrow Project Office recently conducted the first live fire test of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 anti-air missile. The missile’s new seeker has passed the test. Block 2 has active guidance seeker-head. The new seeker head distinguishes Block 2 from the one in-service as it finds its target via radar and midcourse data uplinks from the ship. Block 2 will have both active and semi-active guidance systems.  Four additional live fire tests will follow, ahead of starting production of the Block 2 missile.

Raytheon was awarded a $77-million contract on May 18 to begin the transition from ESSM Block 2 engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) into low-rate manufacturing, fabricating and production.