Raytheon upgrades RAM 2 missiles

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LONDON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Raytheon of the United States and its German partner RAMSYS have completed upgrades to RAM 2 missiles.

Raytheon, in an announcement from London, said the upgrades and integration testing were part of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 program and that five control test vehicle flights were performed.

RAM Block 2 features enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio frequency receiver, a new rocket motor and an upgraded autopilot system.

"The next-generation RAM will provide the naval warfighter with an improved ship defense capability," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Weapon Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.

RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile providing defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne threats and hostile surface craft.

The program will begin guided flight tests this year and is expected to enter low-rate production in late 2012.

For more than 35 years, the United States and Germany have worked together developing and maintaining RAM. Development, production work and funding are shared between Raytheon and RAMSYS.