RIM-7 Sea Sparrow

RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
A Sea Sparrow launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
Type	Surface-to-air missile
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1976–present
Production history
Manufacturer	Raytheon and General Dynamics
Unit cost	$165,400[not verified in body]
Specifications
Mass	510 lb (230 kg)
Length	12 ft (3.7 m)
Diameter	8 in (20 cm)
Wingspan	3 ft 4 in (1.02 m)
Warhead	Annular blast fragmentation warhead, 90 lb (41 kg)
Detonation mechanism	Proximity fuzed, expanding rod, with a 27 ft (8.2 m) kill radius
Engine	Hercules MK-58 solid-propellant rocket motor
Operational range	10 nmi (19 km)
Maximum speed	4,256 km/h (2,645 mph)
Guidance system	Semi-active radar homing
Launch platform	Ship

The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is a U.S. ship-borne short-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapon system, primarily intended for defense against anti-ship missiles. The system was developed in the early 1960s from the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile as a lightweight "point-defense" weapon that could be retrofitted to existing ships as quickly as possible, often in place of existing gun-based anti-aircraft weapons. In this incarnation, it was a very simple system guided by a manually aimed radar illuminator.

After its introduction, the system underwent significant development into an automated system similar to other US Navy missiles like the RIM-2 Terrier. Contemporary improvements being made to the Sparrow for the air-to-air role led to similar improvements in the Sea Sparrow through the 1970s and 80s. After that point the air-to-air role passed to the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Sea Sparrow underwent a series of upgrades strictly for the naval role. It now resembles the AIM-7 only in general form; it is larger, faster and includes a new seeker and a launch system suitable for vertical launch from modern warships.

Fifty years after its development, the Sea Sparrow remains an important part of a layered air defense system, providing a short/medium-range component especially useful against sea-skimming missiles.