Japanese Navy to get U.S. Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 tactical missiles.

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of RAM Block 2 Tactical Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $55.311 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Sept. 28.
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The U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) fires a RIM-116 surface to air intercept missile from its Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launcher while off the coast of California (USA) during a live-fire exercise (Picture source: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary Granger Jr.)

The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to 51 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles, RIM-116C. Also included are RAM Guided Missile Round Pack Tri-Pack shipping and storage containers, operator manuals and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $55.311 million.

These RAM Block 2 Tactical missiles will provide significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over critical East Asian and Western Pacific air and sea-lines of communication.

The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense Company, Tucson, AZ. Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives in Japan.

The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, South Korean, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Mexican and U.S. Navies. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against antiship cruise missiles. The missile is so named because it rolls around its longitudinal axis to stabilize its flight path, much like a bullet fired from a rifled barrel. As of 2005, it is the only U.S. Navy missile to operate in this manner.

The Rolling Airframe Missiles, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, make up the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) unit weighs 5,777 kilograms (12,736 lb) and stores 21 missiles. The original weapon cannot employ its own sensors prior to firing so it must be integrated with a ship's combat system, which directs the launcher at targets. On U.S. ships it is integrated with the AN/SWY-2 Ship Defense Surface Missile System (SDSMS) and Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk 1 or Mk 2 based combat systems. SeaRAM, a launcher variant equipped with independent sensors derived from the Vulcan Phalanx CIWS, is being installed on Littoral Combat Ships and certain Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.