View source for RIM-162 ESSM

{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile         = yes
| name               = RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM)
| image              = File:RIM-162 launched from USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) July 2010.jpg
| caption            = 
| origin             = United States
| type               = Medium-range [[surface-to-air missile]] <br/> [[Surface-to-surface missile]]<ref name="Navy Fact File">[https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2168978/evolved-seasparrow-missile-block-1-essm-rim-162d/ Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 1 (ESSM) (RIM 162D)]</ref>
| used_by            = Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and the US<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/news/defence/naval/jni/jni090107_1_n.shtml|title=Bird in the hand: NATO gives fresh momentum to ESSM|access-date=26 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330130754/http://www.janes.com/news/defence/naval/jni/jni090107_1_n.shtml|archive-date=30 March 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
| manufacturer       = [[Raytheon]]
| unit_cost          = {{ubl
 | US$956,000 <small>(FY2016)</small><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2016/11/missiles-shipboard-essm.html |title=Raytheon wins $177.9 million Navy order for 186 RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow shipboard missiles |date=7 November 2016 |access-date=13 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014033907/http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2016/11/missiles-shipboard-essm.html |archive-date=14 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | US$1,795,000 <small>(FY2021)</small> (average)
 }}
| propellant         = 
| production_date    = September [[1998 in aviation|1998]]
| number             = 2000th missile delivered 2 August 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2149|title=Raytheon Evolved SeaSparrow program delivers 2,000th missile|access-date=26 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026113147/http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2149|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| service            = 2004<ref name="Navy Fact File"/>
| engine             = Mk 134 Mod 0 [[solid propellant|solid fuel]] rocket
| engine_power       = 
| weight             = 620 lb (280 kg)
| length             = 12 ft (3.66 m)
| height             = 
| diameter           = 10 in (254 mm)
| wingspan           = 
| speed              = Mach 4+<ref name="Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM">[http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-162.html Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203232434/http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-162.html |date=3 February 2007 }} Designation-Systems.net</ref>
| vehicle_range      = 27 nmi+ (50 km+)<ref name="Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM"/>
| ceiling            = 
| altitude           = 
| filling            = 86 lb (39 kg) blast-[[fragmentation (weaponry)|fragmentation]]
| guidance           = {{ubl
 | [[Mid-course update]] [[datalink]]
 | Terminal [[semi-active radar homing]] for Block 1, dual semi-active/[[active radar homing]] for Block 2<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/68426/ide-wins-essm-block-2-electronics-contract |title=IDE wins ESSM Block 2 electronics contract &#124; Jane's 360 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803130453/http://www.janes.com/article/68426/ide-wins-essm-block-2-electronics-contract |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
 }}
| detonation         = [[Proximity fuze]]
| launch_platform    = {{ubl
 | Mk 41 [[vertical launching system|VLS]] (RIM-162A/B)
 | Mk 48 VLS (RIM-162C)
 | Mk 56 VLS
 | Mk 57 VLS (RIM-162F)
 | Mk 29 box launcher (RIM-162D/G)<ref>Raytheon. [http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/rids/products/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/content/rtn_bus_ids_prod_mk29_pdf.pdf ESSM Mk-29 upgrade fact sheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227113554/http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/rids/products/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/content/rtn_bus_ids_prod_mk29_pdf.pdf |date=27 February 2009 }}. (PDF)</ref>
 }}
}}

The '''RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile''' ('''ESSM''') is a development of the [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow]] [[missile]] used to protect [[ships]] from attacking missiles and aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/essm/|title=Raytheon ESSM product data sheet|author=Raytheon Corporate Communications|access-date=26 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026111241/http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/essm/|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> ESSM is designed to counter [[supersonic]] maneuvering [[anti-ship missile]]s. ESSM also has the ability to be "quad-packed" in the [[Mark 41 Vertical Launch System]], allowing up to four ESSMs to be carried in a single cell.

==Design==
The original Sea Sparrow was an expedient design intended to provide short-range defensive fire in a system that could be deployed as rapidly as possible. The [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] was the simplest solution, as its radar guidance allowed it to be fired head-on at targets. The radar signal could be provided by mounting an aircraft radar on a trainable platform on a ship. In the years after its introduction, it was upgraded to follow improvements being made in the air-to-air Sparrow models used by the [[US Navy]] and [[US Air Force]]. The ultimate version in this line was the R model, which introduced a new dual-seeker homing system and many other upgrades. In the air-to-air role, however, this was passed over in favor of the [[AIM-120 AMRAAM]], which offered much higher performance from a smaller and lighter missile. Development of the air-to-air Sparrow ended in the 1990s.

Only the Sea Sparrow, therefore, remained using the basic platform — with no need to be suitable for aircraft. Rather than using the existing P and R models, it was decided to dramatically upgrade the weapon. The Evolved SeaSparrow (ESSM) emerged as a completely new weapon, sharing only the name with the original. All of the same support equipment was used, though, allowing it to be fitted to ships already mounting the older models. Compared to the Sea Sparrow, ESSM has a larger, more powerful [[rocket motor]] — developed by [[Orbital ATK]] in cooperation with [[Nammo|Nammo Raufoss]] — for increased range and agility, as well as upgraded [[aerodynamics]] using [[strake (aviation)|strakes]] and [[skid-to-turn]]. In addition, ESSM takes advantage of the latest [[missile guidance]] technology, with different versions for [[Aegis combat system|Aegis]]/[[AN/SPY-1]], Sewaco/[[Active Phased Array Radar]] (APAR), and traditional target illumination all-the-way.

In the 2000s the NATO Seasparrow Project Office began planning an upgraded Block 2 version of the ESSM. In 2014 Canada pledged 200M CAD to underwrite their share of the Block 2's development cost.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pugliese |first1=David |title=Canada commits $200 million to development of next generation of Seasparrow missile |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canada-commits-200-million-to-development-of-next-generation-of-seasparrow-missile |website=ottawacitizen.com |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014515/https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canada-commits-200-million-to-development-of-next-generation-of-seasparrow-missile |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ESSM Block 2 leverages the existing Block 1 rocket motor and features a dual-mode [[X band]] seeker, increased maneuverability, and other enhancements. Block 2 features enhanced communications systems that allow mid-course guidance correction, making the missiles easy to network into the Navy's emerging [[Cooperative Engagement Capability]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogoway |first1=Tyler |title=Watch The Navy Fire Its New Evolved Sea Sparrow Block II Missile For The First Time |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/15718/watch-the-navy-fire-its-new-evolved-sea-sparrow-block-ii-missile-for-the-first-time |website=thedrive.com |date=2 November 2017 |publisher=The Drive |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204065737/http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/15718/watch-the-navy-fire-its-new-evolved-sea-sparrow-block-ii-missile-for-the-first-time |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike Block 1, Block 2's [[active radar homing]] seeker supports terminal engagement without the launch ship's target illumination radars. The upgraded blast-fragmentation warhead was designed, developed and is being produced by [[Roketsan]]. The improved ESSM Block II will be fielded by the US Navy from 2020.<ref name=Greenert20130918 >{{cite web | url=http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS00/20130918/101291/HHRG-113-AS00-Wstate-GreenertUSNJ-20130918.pdf | first=Admiral Jonathan | last=Greenert | author-link=Jonathan Greenert | title=Statement Before The House Armed Services Committee On Planning For Sequestration In FY 2014 And Perspectives Of The Military Services On The Strategic Choices And Management Review | date=18 September 2013 | publisher=US House of Representatives | access-date=21 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923100518/http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS00/20130918/101291/HHRG-113-AS00-Wstate-GreenertUSNJ-20130918.pdf | archive-date=23 September 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/download/rms12_essm_evolution.pdf |title=Evolved SEASPARROW Missile: The Evolution Continues |last1=Cevasco |first1=Frank |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104173834/http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/download/rms12_essm_evolution.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Launchers==

===Mk 29===
[[File:US Navy 100723-N-5528G-014 An Evolved Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).jpg|thumb|An ESSM is launched from a Mk 29 launcher aboard {{USS|Carl Vinson}}]]
The original launcher is Mark 29 Guided Missile Launching System Mod. 4 & 5 (Mk 29 GMLS Mod 4 & 5), which is developed from earlier models Mk 29 Mod 1/2/3 for Sea Sparrow. Mk 29 launchers provide on-mount stowage and launching capability for firing up to eight missiles in a self-contained environmentally controlled trainable launcher design.

===Mk 41===
[[File:A Crane lifts an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) aboard the guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell.jpg|thumb|A crane lifts an ESSM quadpack into a Mk 41 launcher aboard the guided-missile destroyer {{USS|McCampbell}}]]
[[File:Mk 57.png|thumb|right|Mk 57 VLS]]
The [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System]] is the primary launch system for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. The Mk 41 is deployed aboard destroyers and frigates, primarily of the United States and allied nations. The ESSM is quadpacked within a Mk 41 cell allowing a significantly increased missile load over [[RIM-66 Standard|SM-2]].

===Mk 48===
In addition to the Mk 29 GMLS and Mk 41 VLS, the other primary launcher is Mk 48 [[Vertical launching system|VLS]].  The 2-cell module of Mk 48 makes the system very versatile and enables it to be installed on board in spaces that otherwise cannot be utilized. The weight of a 2-cell module of Mk 48 is 660&nbsp;kg (1,450&nbsp;lb; including empty canisters), 330&nbsp;kg (725&nbsp;lb) for exhaust system, and 360&nbsp;kg (800&nbsp;lb) for ship installation interfaces. Each canister of the Mk 48 VLS houses a single RIM-7VL (Vertically Launched) Sea Sparrow cell or two RIM-162 ESSM cells, though, with modification, other missiles can also be launched.  There are a total of four models in the Mk 48 family, with Mod 0 & 1 housing either 2 RIM-7VL or 4 RIM-162 cells, Mod 2 housing either 16 RIM-7VL or 32 RIM-162 cells. Mod 0/1/2 are usually grouped into either a 16-cell module for RIM-7VL or a 32-cell module for RIM-162. Mod 3 fits into the [[StanFlex]] modules on [[Royal Danish Navy]] ships and can house either 6 RIM-7VL or 12 RIM-162 cells; the Danes now use the latter.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Vertical Missile Launcher Mk 48 GMVLS
! colspan=8 | Above deck
|-
! rowspan=3 | Mod #
! rowspan=3 | Width <br/>(cm)
! rowspan=3 | Depth <br/>(cm)
! rowspan=3 | Height <br/>(cm)
! colspan=4 | Weight (kg)
|-
! colspan=2 | {{abbr|incl.|including}} 16 RIM-7VLs
! colspan=2 | {{abbr|incl.|including}} 32 RIM-162s
|-
! Above-deck
! Below-deck
! Above-deck
! Below-deck
|-
! Mod 0
|228||127||478||15,128||814||29,568||408
|-
! Mod 1
|173||132||465||12,464||814||26,020||408
|-
! Mod 2
|477||417||474||16,834||814||30,482||408
|-
! Mod 3
|366||271||473||7,272||476||11,340||476
|-
! colspan=8 | Below deck
|-
! Missile Launching System<br/>(1 per 16 cells, not required for Mod 3)
| 61 || 99 || 132 || - || - || - || -
|-
! Electrical Interface Unit<br>(1 per 4 cells, not required for Mod 3)
|64||45||91||-||-||-||-
|-
! Launching Controller<br>(1 per 8 cells, not required for Mod 3)
|152||34||200||-||-||-||-
|-
! ESSM Launching Controller<br>(1 per 16 cells, ESSM cells)
|89||30||178||-||-||-||-
|}

===Mk 56===
The successor of the Mk 48 VLS is the Mark 56 Guided Missile Vertical Launching System (Mk 56 GMVLS) or simply Mk 56. In comparison to its predecessor, the Mk 56 utilizes a greater percentage of composite material, reducing the weight by more than 20%. The [[Mexican Navy]] will be one of the customers of the Mk 56, using an 8-cell launcher on their [[Sigma-class design]] frigates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/august-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6404-essm-for-mexican-navy-sigma-10514-pola-surface-vessel.html |title=ESSM for Mexican Navy SIGMA 10514 POLA Surface Vessel |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815201042/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/august-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6404-essm-for-mexican-navy-sigma-10514-pola-surface-vessel.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Specifications:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|+  Vertical Missile Launcher Mk 56 GMVLS
! # of missiles
| 4 || 12 || 32 || '''Launch controller<br>(1 per 16 missiles)'''
|-
! Width (cm)
| 173 || 366 || 477 || 94
|-
! Depth (cm)
| 132 || 271 || 417 || 34
|-
! Height (cm)
| 465 || 465 || 465 || 190
|-
! Weight (kg) w/ missiles
| 3,464 || 10,200 || 23,859 || -
|-
! Weight (kg) w/ <br>below deck launch controller
| 3,714 || 10,450 || 24,359 || 250
|}

===Mark 57 (Mk 57)===
The Mk 57 Peripheral Vertical Launching System (PVLS), an evolution of Mk 41 VLS, is used on [[Zumwalt-class|''Zumwalt''-class]] destroyers. It is designed to be installed on the ship periphery instead of centralized magazines. It comes in 4-cell launcher modules and provides backwards compatibility with existing missiles, while allowing new missiles with significantly increased propulsion and payloads.<ref>[http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/rids/products/rtnwcm/groups/public/documents/content/rtn_bus_ids_prod_mk57_pdf.pdf Mk 57]</ref>

==AMRAAM-ER==
[[File:AMRAAM-ER.jpg|thumb|AMRAAM-ER]]
The [[AIM-120 AMRAAM#AMRAAM-ER|AMRAAM-ER]] is an Extended Range upgrade to the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile for the [[NASAMS]] ground-based air defense system, which combines ESSM rocket motor with the AMRAAM two-stage seeker head.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.defensenews.com/articles/raytheons-extended-range-amraam-missile-destroys-target-in-first-flight-test |title=Raytheon's Extended Range AMRAAM Missile Destroys Target in First Flight Test |last1=Judson |first1=Jen |date=4 October 2016 |website=www.defensenews.com |publisher=Sightline Media Group |access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) fires RIM-162 missiles in July 2016.JPG|thumb|upright|The Australian frigate {{HMAS|Ballarat|FFH 155|6}} firing two ESSMs in 2016]]
US operational evaluation was conducted in July [[2002 in aviation|2002]] aboard {{USS|Shoup}}. [[Initial operational capability]] did not occur until later.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738/is_200305/ai_n9206252 "ESSM completes OPEVAL with 'flying colors'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207045513/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738/is_200305/ai_n9206252/ |date=7 December 2009 }}, ''[[Seapower (magazine)|Seapower]]'', May 2003.</ref>

In October 2003, at the USN Pacific Missile Range Facility near Hawaii, Australian frigate {{HMAS|Warramunga|FFH 152|6}} conducted a successful firing of an ESSM. The firing was also the first operational use of the CEA Technologies CWI for guidance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4617/topstories/STORY12.HTM|title=Warramunga's ESSM firing success|publisher=Navy News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040502220004/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/editions/4617/topstories/story12.htm|archive-date=2 May 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/7-167.aspx|title=Air Defence Discussion Board - ESSM Question|publisher=StrategyPage|date=2003|access-date=11 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121163645/http://strategypage.com/militaryforums/7-167.aspx|archive-date=21 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2003, approximately {{convert|200|nmi|km}} from the [[Azores]], the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] (RNLN) frigate {{HNLMS|De Zeven Provinciën|F802|6}} conducted a live fire test of a single ESSM. This firing was the first ever live firing involving a full-size ship-borne [[active electronically scanned array]] (i.e. the [[Active Phased Array Radar|APAR]] radar) guiding a missile using the Interrupted Continuous Wave Illumination (ICWI) technique in an operational environment.<ref name="Janes IDR">Jane's International Defence Review, February 2004, "Active phased array multifunction radars go live for missile firings"</ref> As related by Jane's Navy International:

<blockquote>
During the tracking and missile-firing tests, target profiles were provided by Greek-built EADS/3Sigma Iris PVK medium-range subsonic target drones. [...] According to the RNLN, ... "[[Active Phased Array Radar|APAR]] immediately acquired the missile and maintained track until destruction". [...] These ground-breaking tests represented the world's first live verification of the ICWI technique.<ref name="JNI">Jane's Navy International, October 2005, "Live firing tests rewrite the guiding principles"</ref></blockquote>

In August 2004, a [[German Navy]] {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|1}} completed a series of live missile firings at the Point Mugu missile launch range off the coast of California that included a total of 11 ESSM missile firings.<ref name="JNI" /> The tests included firings against target drones such as the [[Northrop BQM-74 Chukar|Northrop BQM-74E Chukar III]] and Teledyne Ryan BQM-34S Firebee I, as well as against missile targets such as the Beech AQM-37C and air-launched [[AS.34 Kormoran|Kormoran 1]] anti-ship missiles.<ref name="JNI" />

Further live firings were performed by the RNLN frigate HNLMS ''De Zeven Provinciën'' in March 2005, again in the Atlantic Ocean approximately {{convert|180|nmi|km}} west of the Azores.<ref name="JNI" /> The tests involved three live-firing events (two of which involved the ESSM) including firing a single [[Standard missile|SM-2]] Block IIIA at an Iris target drone at long range, a single ESSM at an Iris target drone, and a two-salvo launch (with one salvo comprising two [[Standard missile|SM-2]] Block IIIAs and the other comprising two ESSMs) against two incoming Iris target drones.<ref name="JNI" />

All ESSM launches from {{sclass|De Zeven Provinciën|frigate|5}} and ''Sachsen''-class frigates involved ESSMs quad-packed in a [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System]].

The first "kill" by the RIM-162D from a United States Navy carrier's Mk 29 launcher was achieved during a training exercise by {{USS|John C. Stennis}} on 7 October 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40222|title=Stennis First with New ESSM|publisher=U.S. Navy|date=10 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028165637/http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40222|archive-date=28 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 14 May 2013, the ESSM intercepted a high-diving supersonic test target, demonstrating the ability to hit high-G maneuvering, low-velocity air threats, as well as surface targets.  No software changes were needed to prove the ESSM's enhanced capability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essm-intercept-of-high-diving-threat-proves-expanded-defensive-capability-207345421.html|title=ESSM Intercept of High-Diving Threat Proves Expanded Defensive Capability|publisher=PRNewswire.com|date=14 May 2013|access-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409135348/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essm-intercept-of-high-diving-threat-proves-expanded-defensive-capability-207345421.html|archive-date=9 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 30 August 2015, during the annual [[Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training|'Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training' ('CARAT') exercise]], the ESSM was fired from the Royal Thai Navy [[Naresuan-class frigate|''Naresuan''-class guided-missile frigate]] [[HTMS Naresuan|HTMS ''Naresuan'']] and achieved a direct hit on a [[Northrop BQM-74 Chukar|BQM-74E]] drone missile launched from the USN amphibious dock landing ship [[USS Germantown (LSD-42)|USS ''Germantown'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalanalyses.com/2017/02/naresuan-class-frigates-of-royal-thai.html|title=Naresuan class frigates of the Royal Thai Navy|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>

On 9 October 2016, {{USS|Mason|DDG-87|6}} fired one RIM-162 ESSM and two [[RIM-66|SM-2s]] to defend against two incoming [[Houthi insurgency in Yemen|Houthi]] anti-ship cruise missiles, potentially Chinese-built [[C-802]] missiles.  It is unknown if the RIM-162 was responsible for intercepting either of the missiles, but the incident marked the first time the ESSM was used in a combat situation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/10/11/uss-mason-fired-3-missiles-to-defend-from-yemen-cruise-missiles-attack|title=USS Mason Fired 3 Missiles to Defend From Yemen Cruise Missiles Attack|date=12 October 2016|publisher=U.S. Naval Institute News|access-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809090937/https://news.usni.org/2016/10/11/uss-mason-fired-3-missiles-to-defend-from-yemen-cruise-missiles-attack|archive-date=9 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> {{See also|USS Mason (DDG-87)#Attacks off the coast of Yemen}}

In 2018, the ESSM Block 2 passed its first live fire test, successfully intercepting a BQM-74E target drone using its active guidance seeker-head.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eckstein |first1=Megan |title=Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 2 Successfully Intercepts Aerial Target in First Live Fire Test |url=https://news.usni.org/2018/07/06/evolved-seasparrow-missile-block-2-successfully-intercepts-aerial-target-in-first-live-fire-test |website=news.usni.org |publisher=U.S. Naval Institute |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014428/https://news.usni.org/2018/07/06/evolved-seasparrow-missile-block-2-successfully-intercepts-aerial-target-in-first-live-fire-test |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Operators==

[[File:171015-N-N0901-002 (37493186630).jpg|thumb|The {{ship|Spanish frigate|Álvaro de Bazán}} launches an ESSM to intercept a simulated enemy missile during exercise Formidable Shield 2017]]

Source: US Navy—Fact File: Evolved Seasparrow Missile<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=950&ct=2|title=The US Navy -- Fact File: Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) (RIM 162D)|last=Petty|first=Dan|website=www.navy.mil|language=en|access-date=2018-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140049/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=950&ct=2|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

ESSM Consortium Members:

* {{flag|Australia}}
* {{flag|Canada}}
* {{flag|Denmark}}
* {{flag|Germany}}
* {{flag|Greece}}
* {{flag|Netherlands}}
* {{flag|Norway}}
* {{flag|Spain}}
* {{flag|Turkey}}
* {{flag|United States}}

Foreign Military Sales (FMS):

* {{flag|Belgium}}
* {{flag|Chile}}
* {{flag|Finland}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.verkkouutiset.fi/pohjanmaa-luokan-korvetteihin-ilmatorjuntaohjukset/ |title=Pohjanmaa-luokan korvetteihin ilmatorjuntaohjukset – verkkouutiset.fi |date=21 February 2019 |access-date=21 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224121/https://www.verkkouutiset.fi/pohjanmaa-luokan-korvetteihin-ilmatorjuntaohjukset/ |archive-date=21 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Finland buying Raytheon's ESSM for Squadron 2020 corvettes |url=https://navaltoday.com/2019/02/21/finland-buying-raytheons-essm-for-squadron-2020-corvettes/ |website=navaltoday.com |date=21 February 2019 |access-date=2019-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221210229/https://navaltoday.com/2019/02/21/finland-buying-raytheons-essm-for-squadron-2020-corvettes/ |archive-date=21 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Japan}}
* {{flag|Mexico}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/november-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6691-pola-sigma-10514-arm-reformador-frigate-launched-for-mexican-navy.html |title=POLA Sigma 10514 ARM Reformador Frigate Launched for Mexican Navy |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203202736/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2018/november-2018-navy-naval-defense-news/6691-pola-sigma-10514-arm-reformador-frigate-launched-for-mexican-navy.html |archive-date=3 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flag|Portugal}}
* {{flag|Thailand}}
* {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}

== See also ==
* {{lwc|K-SAAM}}
* {{lwc|CAMM (missile family)}}
* {{lwc|HQ-16}}
* {{lwc|Buk missile system}}
* {{lwc|VL-SRSAM}}
* {{lwc|Sky Sword II#TC-2N}}
* [[List of missiles]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow}}
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-162.html Designation Systems.net: Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM]
* [http://www.natoseasparrow.org NATO SEASPARROW Project Office]
* [http://www.nammo.com NAMMO Raufoss - Nordic Ammunition Company]

{{US missiles}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rim-162 Essm}}
[[Category:Naval surface-to-air missiles of the United States|RIM162]]