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NAVSEA Proposes Contract for New Anti-Air Warfare Missile

By Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

After surveying the market to determine sources for existing and potential new technologies to aid in the development of an extended range anti-air missile with active seeker capability, NAVSEA is proposing to award a sole-source development contract to Raytheon Missile Systems. This next generation Standard Missile would satisfy both the extended range and active seeker requirements. Raytheon is currently the sole producer of surface-to-air Missiles for the US Navy, including the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIB (a medium-range missile) and Block IV (an extended-range missile).

Raytheon is the only source that could provide this new ship-launched anti-air warfare (AAW) missile by FY10. The new missile is currently being referred to as the Extended-Range Active Missile, or ERAM.

The name comes from the fact that it incorporates the active-radar seeker of an AMRAAM air-to-air missile, into the extended-range airframe of the Standard Missile Block IV. This approach leverages both the Navy's previous investment in the Standard Missile line, and the Joint Air Force-Navy investment in AMRAAM radar technology. The fact that both ERAM and AMRAAM will use the same hardware and software for the seeker, is expected to also result in lowered production cost for the missile.

The ERAM will replace the Block IV in the Navy's AAW role. The Block IV was never bought in large quantities because it was to be replaced by the Block IVA, a dual-mission AAW and Theater Ballistic Missile (TBM) interceptor. The Block IVA was cancelled in December 2001 along with the rest of the Navy Area Defense program.

The pending ERAM procurement decision does not address the Navy's need for a TBM system, as the requirements for such a system are still undefined.

The ERAM will be fired by the AEGIS Combat System, like previous versions of Standard Missile, but is also expected to be compatible with the next-generation DD(X) Fire Control System. The ERAM addresses the Navy's need for a long-range interceptor against aircraft and cruise missiles, which dates back to the 1980's.

The AMRAAM seeker will give the missile much improved capability against modern day threats. Having active radar in the missile may also allow engagements at very-long ranges, beyond the ship's horizon by using networked fire control data such as that provided by the Navy's Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC).