US approves sale of RIM-116C – RAM Block 2 to Japan

United States Department of State approved the sale of RAM Block 2 Tactical Missiles and related equipment to Japan at an estimated cost of $55.311 million via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) channel. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) submitted the necessary certificate notifying Congress of this sale.

The contract on the sale of RAM Block 2 Tactical Missiles at an estimated cost of $55.311 million (estimated costs reported by DSCA indicate maximum, contract costs generally lower) includes:

Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles, RIM-116C (51)

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.

After the request is approved, Japan will enter into an agreement with Raytheon Missiles and Defense Company.

RIM-116 RAM

The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a lightweight, fast-reacting,fire-and-forget type missile designed to destroy anti-ship and cruise missiles, as well as asymmetrical air and surface threats. RIM-116 RAM was developed as a cooperation program between the US and German governments and continues to be produced and supported in collaboration. There are currently three RIM-116 configurations: Block 0 (RIM-116), Block 1A (RIM-116B) and Block 2 (RIM-116C).

RIM-116 RAM is designed as a high firepower, low-cost, self-defense system against anti-ship cruise missiles and other asymmetric threats. After the launch of the missile, including all versions of the missile, no support (i.e. illuminator) is required onboard. The original Block 0 design was based on the Stinger missile’s infrared seeker and the Sidewinder missile’s warhead, rocket motor, and fuze. The block 0 configuration uses Radio Frequency (RF) for guidance and Infrared (IR) guidance transitions for terminal engagement.

The Block 2 missile provides kinematics and guidance optimization to counter maneuvers. It includes a Control Section upgrade (2 canards for Block 1A – 4 canards for Block 2), a Propulsion Section upgrade (a larger composite rocket motor), and an Enhanced Radio Frequency (ERF) receiver. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for RAM Block 2 was obtained in May 2015. Full-rate production approval was received in November 2018.

RIM-116 RAM, throughout the life of the program with more than 5,000 missiles produced in the US, German and US allies in the Navy (South Korea, Greece, Egypt, the UAE, including Turkey and Japan) are fully operational. RAM is deployed around the world through the MK49 RAM Guided Missile Launch System (GMLS) and MK15 Mode 32 SeaRAM Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) on more than 100 ships, from fast patrol boats to aircraft carriers.