First firing for ESSM

Sea Power, Dec 1998

The first test firing of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) has been conducted at the Desert Ship facility at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The test shot was successful, Navy officials said.

After the ESSM successfully departed its Mk29 launcher, its motor was started by a laser arm-and-fire device. The missile achieved stable flight, the Navy said, "and properly performed all of its pre-programmed maneuvers."

The ESSM-a ship self-defense missile designed to defeat current and future missile threats-is a follow-on to the RIM-7P SeaSparrow missile currently in service on ships of the U.S. Navy and other navies. The ESSM features a new rocket motor and new tail-control technology, and is fitted with a modified RIM-7P guidance section.

The ESSM program is an international cooperative development program managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command. The program's costs and development are being shared by 10 of the 13 members of the NATO SeaSparrow consortium.