US Navy Enhances Fleet Survivability with RAM Launchers to Counter Aerial Threats.

Raytheon, a subsidiary of the American group RTX, has been awarded a $74 million contract by the United States Navy to produce RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) guided missile launching systems. The contract includes the delivery of new launcher systems, the refurbishment of existing ones, and the provision of hardware required to upgrade current equipment. Various spare parts are also part of the agreement.
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Operationally, the RAM system provides the U.S. Navy with a highly responsive and reliable close-in defense capability against a variety of maritime threats, including anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and fast surface craft (Picture source: Raytheon)

This contract represents the largest order placed by the U.S. Navy for RAM launchers in more than two decades. Barbara Borgonovi, president of the Naval Power division at Raytheon, stated that this agreement would enhance the protection of naval units against anti-ship threats, while underlining the company's investments in modernizing production capacities. These efforts aim to meet the growing global demand for what is considered the most advanced short-range naval self-defense system.

The RAM weapon system, developed through a bilateral cooperation between the United States and Germany, will mark its fiftieth anniversary next year. Raytheon serves as the prime contractor for U.S. Navy requirements. Currently, the system is deployed on more than 165 warships across eleven countries, ranging from fast patrol boats to aircraft carriers. It is also being integrated into several new U.S. Navy ship classes, including the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

The RAM system is regarded as the most advanced solution for close-in defense of warships. Designed to neutralize anti-ship missiles, helicopters, aircraft, and fast surface craft, it features a supersonic, lightweight missile capable of rapid reaction. Its guidance system, combining passive radio frequency and infrared tracking, allows it to engage multiple targets simultaneously in a "fire-and-forget" mode, without requiring further adjustments after launch. The system is operational on a broad array of platforms in 11 countries.

The latest variant, RAM Block 2, incorporates significant improvements in kinematics and guidance, enabling it to counter faster and more sophisticated threats. RAM missiles can be launched from the MK49 GMLS system or the SeaRAM MK15 Mod 32, which features an autonomous sensor suite and an integrated combat management system. These launch systems are designed for easy integration across various ship types, using existing sensors for threat detection and targeting.

The RAM program is a result of bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and German governments, supported by Raytheon and Germany’s RAMSYS. This enduring collaboration helps maintain technological capabilities in close-in naval defense. The progressive integration of the system into new American ship classes, such as the Arleigh Burke destroyers, highlights RAM's strategic importance in protecting naval units in increasingly contested operational environments.

Most of the work under this contract will be carried out in Louisville, Kentucky, with completion expected by 2028. The agreement reflects the United States' intent to strengthen the close-in defense of its naval units at a time when anti-ship threats are multiplying and the requirements for protecting vessels in littoral and open-sea operations are intensifying.

Operationally, the RAM system provides the U.S. Navy with a highly responsive and reliable close-in defense capability against a variety of maritime threats, including anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and fast surface craft. This versatility enhances the protection envelope around naval vessels, particularly against saturation attacks or advanced cruise missiles maneuvering at high speed and with complex trajectories. The "fire-and-forget" feature and multitarget engagement reduce the workload on onboard combat systems while ensuring rapid, autonomous responses during engagements.

Integrating RAM across a wide range of platforms, from destroyers to lighter or auxiliary vessels, enables the U.S. Navy to standardize part of its naval defense around a proven and adaptable system. This approach strengthens unit survivability in contested areas and enhances operational flexibility by providing credible protection even to smaller ships. The system's interoperability with other sensors and combat networks also allows effective integration within broader naval defense architectures, contributing to layered defense and improved coordination between units.

Finally, RAM supports the United States' efforts to maintain technological superiority in naval defense amid the proliferation of hypersonic and stealthy anti-ship missiles, particularly those developed by powers such as China and Russia. Through continuous performance improvements, exemplified by the Block 2 variant, and the system’s capacity for future upgrades, RAM aligns with U.S. strategy to secure maritime dominance and safeguard sea lines of communication in a context of heightened strategic competition.