Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile

On 15 December 2005 BAE systems was awarded a $35 million contract to manufacture upgraded components for the Evolved SEASPARROW Missile (ESSM).

The Evolved SEASPARROW Missile (ESSM) program is an international cooperative venture by ten of the twelve nations of the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium to develop and produce an improved version of the RIM-7P NATO SEASPARROW Missile.

The ESSM will have enhanced speed and manoeuvrability compared to the baseline NATO SEASPARROW, and will feature quad pack canisters in the 8-cell Mk 41 Vertical Launching System.

DMO Major Surface Ships Branch ESSM Project Director, Commander Paul Mandziy said the ESSM has been designed to meet the Royal Australian Navy’s current and future needs in dealing with the threat posed by anti-ship missiles.

‘It is an entirely upgraded missile that has an improved rocket, and upgraded target detection and guidance systems,’ he said.

Australia's involvement in the international ESSM program is being managed through Project SEA 1428, which will manage Australia's participation in the development and production phases of the program, and the provision of the ESSM capability into the ANZAC and FFG classes of ship currently operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

It is planned that after the approved engineering and manufacturing development stages have been completed that modifications to Anzac ships 1 through 7 and then 8 through 10 will enable the retro-fitment of the ESSM. The upgrade of RAN FFG-7 Adelaide-class guided missile frigates is also expected to include the fitment of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile.