SeaSparrow deliveries double

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TUCSON, April 12 (UPI) -- Raytheon Co.'s Arizona-based Missile Systems business said it delivered a record number of Evolved SeaSparrow missiles last year.

The company delivered 366 ESSMs in 2010, more than double the previous year's total.

"We accomplished this delivery record in 2010 by improving our already robust manufacturing and engineering processes and by responding to increased customer demand," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Weapon Systems at Raytheon Missile Systems. "This accomplishment is also a reflection of the efforts of our international partners throughout Europe, Canada and Australia and their contributions to the cooperative NATO SeaSparrow Project."

The ESSM is a medium-range, all-weather, semi-active radar-guided missile used in surface-to-air and surface-to-surface roles by the U.S. military and is currently deployed by more than 11 navies.

"ESSM remains central to the self-defense solution for the U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier fleet as well as other allied navy ship classes due to its superior performance, high firepower and mission versatility," said Ed Roesly, Raytheon Missile Systems ESSM program director. "ESSM protects the fleets of the world as a leading solution for layered defense."