First Raytheon SeaRAM® missile fired from a US Navy Littoral Combat Ship

Weapon system tracks and engages target in LCS 4 exercise

For the first time, the U.S. Navy successfully fired a tactical missile from a SeaRAM launcher on an Independence variant littoral combat ship. The missile was launched Aug. 14 during a live-fire exercise at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division sea range off the coast of California. U.S.S. Coronado (LCS 4) fired a Rolling Airframe Missile from a SeaRAM® anti-ship defense system, both produced by Raytheon Company

During the test, the SeaRAM detected, tracked and engaged an inbound threat target, and fired a RAM Block 1A that successfully intercepted the target.

"This test success marks a major milestone toward full operation and employment of the SeaRAM system on U.S. Navy ships," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Area and Mission Defense product line at Raytheon Missile Systems. "SeaRAM demonstrated that it is a vital weapon for defending navies against anti-ship cruise missiles, and provides warfighters with a capability found nowhere else."

The exercise also was designed to provide information to reduce risk in future combat and certification exercises for the LCS.