Germany to purchase 600 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2B.

According to information published by the German MoD on September 22, 2022, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved the procurement of 600 RAMRolling Airframe Missile Block 2B. The weapon system is a further development of the RAMRolling Airframe Missile guided missiles already used by the Navy.
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A RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launched. (Picture source: German MoD)

The German Navy already uses the RAMRolling Airframe Missile Block 1A and RAMRolling Airframe Missile Block 2 guided missiles on all K130 frigates and corvettes for self-protection in air defense. Possible targets include enemy-guided missiles, aircraft or helicopters attacking a German ship.

In RAMRolling Airframe Missile Block 2B, among other things, the infrared seeker has been further developed and data can now be exchanged between the missiles in a salvo (missile-to-missile link).

The Class 126 frigates (formerly designated multi-purpose combat ship MKS180) are also to be equipped with RAMRolling Airframe Missile in the future. The RAMRolling Airframe Missile project is based on an equal cooperation between Germany and the United States that has existed since 1976.

The 600 missiles will be delivered between 2024 and 2029. The contract is worth 560.9 million euros. Additional contracts worth around €76.1 million will also be required to ensure the systems are ready for supply and to extend production of the LFK RAMRolling Airframe Missile Block 2 until it is replaced.

As all Bundeswehr procurement and development projects with an investment volume of more than €25 million must be submitted to parliament before contracts are concluded, the Bundestag's Budget Committee dealt with the investment.

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, UAE and US Navies.

It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship 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.

The RAM Block 2 is an upgraded version of the RAM missile aimed at more effectively countering more maneuverable antiship missiles through a four-axis independent control actuator system, increased rocket motor capability, an improved passive radio frequency seeker and upgraded components of the infrared seeker, and advanced kinematics.