U.S. Navy receives first low-rate production RAM Bock 2 missile

TUCSON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The first Block 2 variant of Raytheon's Rolling Airframe Missile for defense against airborne threats has been delivered to the U.S. Navy.

The RAM Block 2, with enhanced kinematics, improvements to its radio frequency receiver and an upgraded control system, is the result of a low-rate initial production contract given to Raytheon by the Navy in 2014.

"As today's threats continue to evolve, RAM Block 2's enhanced features give an unfair advantage to naval warfighters across the globe," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Raytheon Missile System's Naval and Area Mission Defense product line. "Along with demonstrating a long-standing international partnership, the RAM program has a record of 91 consecutive months of contractual on-time deliveries, and continues its remarkable success rate of over 90 percent during flight tests."

RAM is a fire-and-forget missile providing defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne threats, and hostile surface craft. It is installed, or planned, for installation aboard more than 165 navy ships worldwide.

Raytheon and RAMSYS of Germany collaborated in its development, as did the governments of both countries.

The missile is called rolling because the projectile spins for increased stability in its trajectory toward its target.