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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
	FY98 Annual Report

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) program is designed to provide surface ships with an effective, low-cost, lightweight, self-defense system which will provide an improved capability to engage and defeat incoming anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs). The RAM Block 0 has a five-inch diameter airframe that rolls in flight and dual mode, passive radio frequency/infrared (RF/IR) guidance. Initial homing for RAM Block 0 is in RF, using an ASCM's RF seeker emissions. If the ASCM's IR radiation is acquired, RAM transitions to IR guidance. RAM Block I uses an improved, electro-optical proximity fuze and a new IR seeker and can be launched in an IR all-the-way mode, as well as the dual mode (passive RF, followed by passive IR) used by Block 0. The launching system and missiles comprise the weapon system.

RAM weapon systems are integrated with the AN/SWY-2 combat system on certain ships and as part of the Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) on other ships (LSD-41 class ships at this time). The AN/SWY-2 is comprised of the weapon system and the combat direction system. The combat direction system employs the existing Mk 23 target acquisition system (TAS) radar and the AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare support sensor (together with threat evaluation and weapons assignment software resident in the Mk 23 TAS) to accomplish threat detection, correlation, evaluation, and engagement. With SSDS, RAM is part of the engagement suite. For example, on LSD 41-class ships, a typical SSDS engagement suite includes RAM, the PHALANX Close-In Weapon System Block 1A, and the decoy launch system. SSDS further integrates the AN/SPS-49(V)1 radar with the medium pulse repetition frequency (PRF) upgrade, the AN/SPS-67 surface search radar, the AN/SLQ-32(V) sensor, and the CIWS search radar.

RAM Block 0 contributes to the Joint Vision 2010 concept of full-dimensional protection by enhancing ship self-protection against several RF-radiating ASCMs that have "leaked" past outer air defenses. RAM Block I extends that protection against several non-RF radiating missiles. Given that some of the ships using RAM are also platforms from which strike operations are executed, RAM indirectly contributes to the concept of precision engagement.

The Navy established an OR for the RAM weapon system in 1975. The Federal Republic of Germany independently developed a requirement similar to that of the United States, and the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding for joint participation in the advanced development phase of the program. IOT&E was completed in FY90. The DOT&E assessment was reported in DOT&E's FY90 Annual Report. As noted in that report, a B-LRIP report had been prepared for RAM but a final decision to proceed beyond LRIP had not been made. Due to this deferred decision, the B-LRIP report was not forwarded to the congressional defense committees until April 1994, prior to Block 0 missile and launcher full-rate production. The B-LRIP report concluded that the RAM weapon system was operationally effective against the preponderance of RF-emitting anti-ship cruise missiles, although there were exceptions. It also concluded that RAM Block 0 was not operationally suitable. These deficiencies were addressed prior to the decision to proceed beyond LRIP, with the new Block I missile program addressing the more fundamental deficiencies. The RAM Block I program is currently in engineering and manufacturing development and addresses the deficiencies and weaknesses reported in the B-LRIP report on the Block 0 system. An OA, based on DT at the White Sands Missile Range, NM, was conducted in FY97. Notwithstanding the limitations associated with testing a missile--intended to operate in a maritime environment--in the high desert, based on results of the DT and M&S, RAM Block I was projected to be potentially operationally effective. Limitations precluded projection of potential operational suitability.

RAM Block 1 was designated for LFT&E oversight in a memorandum from the Deputy Director Test and Evaluation/Land and Maritime Programs (currently the Deputy Director Operational Test and Evaluation/Live Fire Test and Evaluation) to the Navy on January 31, 1994. The objective of the LFT&E is to evaluate the lethality of the warhead against RAM Block 0 targets to assure no degradation of lethality, and against the updated RAM Block 1 target set. Data for the evaluation will be derived from arena testing, OPEVAL testing, and from modeling and simulation.

Most of the FY98 activity consisted of planning for the OPEVAL on the Self Defense Test Ship. T&E Activity for LFT&E focused on the development of the LFT&E strategy to be included in the updated TEMP for Block 1. Modeling and simulation working group meetings were held to address the extent to which M&S could contribute to OT&E and to discuss validation of the M&S with DT and OT results. DT testing began in September 1998 at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division Sea Range near Point Mugu, CA. The RAM system was integrated with the SSDS onboard the remotely controlled Self Defense Test Ship. This ship is unmanned during tests and is required to present threat-representative attack profiles by ASCMs and surrogates to the RAM/SSDS in a safe manner. OT is expected to be conducted concurrently with FOT&E of the SSDS during 2QFY99. A second phase of OPEVAL is planned onboard USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) to address operational suitability issues associated with the RAM Block 1 upgrade. The OPEVAL will be conducted in accordance with a DOT&E-approved test plan and TEMP. The Director and his staff will observe the testing.

Our current assessment of RAM Block 0 is that it is operationally effective against most of the RF-emitting anti-ship cruise missiles and that it is operationally suitable. Performance against targets executing evasive maneuvers has not been tested because these targets were not available, nor was the Self Defense Test Ship available for OT of RAM Block 0 against the most realistic threat attack profiles.

Although four RAM Block 1 DT firings were conducted during September and October, as of this writing, analysis of DT results is still being conducted. The OT, on which our assessment of RAM Block 1 will be based, should begin in the second quarter of FY99.

This testing was delayed by a leak in the 42-year-old hull of the Self Defense Test Ship. This ship, which is controlled remotely and is unmanned during testing, is required in order to present threat-representative attack profiles by the targets for adequate testing of RAM (and future short range, self defense systems). Safety precludes use of a fleet ship for this testing due to the attendant danger of impact by target debris.

The overall T&E program for RAM Block 1 is considered adequate, but the Self Defense Test Ship will require more thorough maintenance to ensure its availability for FOT&E in FY00. Additionally, its use will be required by other short range, self defense systems.