RIM-162 ESSM – The Defense Post

Feb- 2026 -

26 February

RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launch

Raytheon Selects Belgian Facility for ESSM Block II Program

Raytheon has selected ST Engineering iDirect’s Manufacturing Competence Center in Belgium to support the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block II program.

24 February

Air

Tomahawk cruise missile launch from Mk 41 Vertical Launching System

Bea Castañeda

MK 41 VLS: A Guide to the Backbone of Modern Naval Firepower

This guide breaks down the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System, explaining how its modular design enables warships to launch diverse missiles from a single system.

12 February

Arms

Bea Castañeda

An Inside Look at the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM)

This guide explains how the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile fits into modern layered air defense architectures across allied navies.

Jan- 2026 -

14 January

Americas

USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) Arleigh Burke-class destroyer

Bea Castañeda

Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyers: The US Navy’s Evergreen Warship

Explore how the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer underpins global naval power, with this guide revealing its combat systems, missions, upgrades, and evolving role in modern maritime warfare.

Dec- 2025 -

16 December

Sea

Live fire exercise of the RIM-7 NATO Sea Sparrow Missile aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex

Bea Castañeda

RIM-7 Sea Sparrow: The Naval Missile That Kept Carriers Alive

This guide explains how the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow protects warships, covering its origins, capabilities, upgrades, and continued role in modern defense.

Jun- 2025 -

26 June

Americas

Christine Casimiro

MELCO to Produce Raytheon Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 2 in Japan

Raytheon has clinched a $250-million deal from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for the licensed production of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM)Block 2 in Japan.

May- 2025 -

21 May

Arms

Christine Casimiro

Denmark to Boost Frigate Air Defense With Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles

Denmark is set to acquire additional Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block 2 and support equipment for its Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates.

May- 2021 -

4 May

Americas

HMAS Sydney fires an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile for the first time during Combat System Sea Qualification Trials in the Southern Californian Exercise Area off the coast of the United States.

Tong Ong

Australian Navy Conducts Test-Fire of ESSM Missile

The Royal Australian Navy has successfully conducted a test firing of its Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile for the first time from the Hobart-class Guided Missile Destroyer HMAS Sydney.

Apr- 2019 -

25 April

Business