DEFEA 2021: RAM-System GmbH displays RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile.

The joint venture RAM-System GmbH, owned by MBDA Deutschland (50%), Diehl Stiftung (25%) and Diehl BGT Defence (25%), displays RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile at DEFEA 2021, held in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 15 July 2021.

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (Picture source: Army Recognition)

RAM is a cooperative program between the U.S. and German governments with industry support from Raytheon and RAMSYS of Germany.

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 anti-ship cruise missiles.

As its name indicates, RAM rolls as it flies. The missile must roll during flight because the RF tracking system uses a two-antenna interferometer that can measure phase interference of the electromagnetic wave in one plane only. The rolling interferometer permits 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 manner.

The RIM-116 Missile has a length of 2.8 meters, a diameter of 127 millimeters, and a weight of 74 kg.