The $66.6 million firm-fixed-price contract announced yesterday includes
options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $142.8
million, and includes an option for foreign military sales to an international
customer.
RAM is a cooperative program between the U.S. and German governments
with industry support from Raytheon and RAMSYS of Germany. The contract
calls for production work to be shared between both companies.
"RAM
Block 2 adds important enhancements to counter a bigger set of targets
and give our warfighters an unfair advantage," said Rick
Nelson, vice president of Raytheon's Naval Area and Mission Defense
product line. "Our partnership with RAMSYS is a great example
of Raytheon's commitment to working with countries and companies around
the globe."
Work
outlined in the contract is expected to be completed by February 2018.
The contract was awarded in the fourth quarter of 2015, on Dec. 31.
RAM
is a supersonic, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile providing
defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne
threats, and hostile surface craft. The missile's autonomous dual-mode,
passive radio frequency and infrared guidance design provide a high-firepower
capability for engaging multiple threats simultaneously. RAM is installed,
or planned for installation, aboard more than 165 ships as an integral
self-defense weapon for the navies of Egypt, Germany, Greece, Japan,
the Republic of Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United
States.
The
RAM Block 2 upgrade includes a four-axis independent control actuator
system and an increase in rocket motor capability, increasing the
missile's effective range and delivering a significant increase in
maneuverability. The improved missile also incorporates an upgraded
passive radio frequency seeker, a digital autopilot and engineering
changes in selected infrared seeker components.