Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile

The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a NATO-cooperative ship self-defense missile family built by Raytheon Missile Systems for surface combatants. U.S. Navy and RTX sources describe it as a medium-range radar-guided weapon for anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopters, and maneuvering surface threats, with Block 1 and Block 2 variants designed for VLS-equipped ships.

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Ship self-defense missile, Munitions

Image source: ESSM Missile | Raytheon

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Raytheon Missile Systems
Type: Ship self-defense missile
Service note: 1980s-present
Designed: 1980s-1990s
Unit cost: $787K-$972K depending on configuration
Produced: 2002-present
Variants: Block 1 (RIM-162D), Block 2
Developed from: RIM-7P SeaSparrow Missile

SAM air defense naval NATO

Specifications

Guidance: Block 1 semi-active radar homing with radar and midcourse uplinks; Block 2 adds a dual active/semi-active seeker
Length: 12 feet
Diameter: 8-inch guidance section; 10-inch control and rocket motor sections
Weight: 622 pounds
Warhead: 90-pound annular blast fragmentation warhead
Platforms: MK 29, MK 41 VLS, MK 48 Guided Missile VLS, MK 56 Dual Pack ESSM Launching System, MK 57 VLS

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: U.S. Navy service from 2004; ESSM Block 2 IOC in 2021.
Used by: United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Danish Navy, German Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, United Arab Emirates Navy, Royal Thai Navy

Carrier Platforms

Navy destroyer class pages identify Arleigh Burke-class ships as VLS platforms that carry ESSM.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer

Guided-missile destroyer

The Navy's destroyer class info page identifies ESSM as VLS launched on DDG 79 AF ships, showing the Arleigh Burke class as a carrier platform for the missile.

Sources: Destroyer Ship Class Info Page

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Images

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Ship self-defense missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: ESSM Missile | Raytheon

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Ship self-defense missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: ESSM Missile | Raytheon

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Ship self-defense missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: ESSM Missile | Raytheon

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Ship self-defense missile, Munitions - view 4 — Source: ESSM Missile | Raytheon

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Sources

ESSM Missile | RaytheonPublisher: RTX | Note: Supports manufacturer background, general ship self-defense role, official gallery image provenance, and summary-level program context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 1 (ESSM) (RIM 162D)Publisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports Block 1 background, guidance, launcher compatibility, service, unit cost, platforms, warhead, and basic specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Destroyer Ship Class Info PagePublisher: Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic | Note: Supports the DDG 51 class armament listing and identifies ESSM as VLS launched on the destroyer class page. | Accessed: 2026-06-23