Air Defense

MK 31 RAM Launcher

Also known as
  • MK-31 RAM Launcher
  • RAM MK-31 Guided Missile Launching System
  • RAM MK 31 Guided Missile Weapon System
  • MK 31 Guided Missile Weapon System
  • MK 49 Guided Missile Launching System

The MK 31 RAM Launcher is the shipboard launcher and weapon-system layer for the Rolling Airframe Missile family. Raytheon describes the MK 31 guided missile weapon system as the 21-round MK 49 launching system plus MK 44 missile round pack, while Red Sea reporting on German frigate Hessen documents RAM/RIM-116 combat use in EUNAVFOR Aspides.

MK 31 RAM Launcher, Surface-to-air missile launcher, Air Defense
Image source: Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher photo

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States / Germany
Type
Surface-to-air missile launcher
Service note
1990s-present
Designed
1970s-1990s
Produced
1990s-present

Specifications

System
MK 31 RAM Guided Missile Weapon System
Role
Ship self defense
Missile capacity
21
Round pack
MK 44 guided missile round pack
Launching system
MK 49 guided missile launching system
Associated missile
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile
Contractor
Raytheon Missile Systems
Integration
Uses target and pointing information from host-ship sensors
System Architecture

The MK 31 is the weapon-system layer around the RAM missile rather than only a bare deck mount. Raytheon describes the MK 44 guided missile round pack and MK 49 guided missile launching system as the two elements that comprise the MK 31 guided missile weapon system.

Magazine and launcher

The MK 49 launching system holds 21 RAM missiles in the MK 31 weapon system.

Ship integration

The system is designed to use target and pointing data from existing ship sensors rather than a dedicated sensor set.

SeaRAM relationship

SeaRAM combines Phalanx-derived sensors with a RAM launcher, while the MK 31 configuration depends on the host ship's combat system for engagement information.

Associated Missile

The launcher exists to fire the RAM missile round used by the ship self-defense system.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, Ship-launched surface-to-air missile, MunitionsRIM-116 Rolling Airframe MissileShip-launched surface-to-air missile

Raytheon describes the MK 44 guided missile round pack and MK 49 launching system, holding 21 missiles, as the elements that comprise the MK 31 guided missile weapon system.

Sources: RAM Missile - Raytheon Emirates

Carrier Ships

Cataloged ship classes document RAM launcher fits across U.S. and German surface combatants.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, Naval SystemsFreedom-class Littoral Combat ShipFreedom-variant littoral combat ship

The 2025 NAVSEA historical evaluation for USS Sioux City lists one MK 31 RAM Launcher in the ship's armament.

Sources: USS Sioux City (LCS-11) Naval Historical Evaluation

Braunschweig-class / K130 corvette, Corvette class, Naval SystemsBraunschweig-class / K130 corvetteCorvette class

Bundeswehr lists two RIM-116 RAM launchers as the Braunschweig-class close-range air-defense fit.

Sources: Bundeswehr: Korvetten der Braunschweig-Klasse

Sachsen class / F124 frigate, Air-defense frigate class, Naval SystemsSachsen class / F124 frigateAir-defense frigate class

Bundeswehr lists two RIM-116 RAM launchers on the Sachsen class for close air defense and missile interception.

Sources: Fregatten der Sachsen-Klasse | Bundeswehr

Timeline

MK 31 RAM Launcher Key Events

  1. Ship self-defense requirement emerges

    JHU APL's RAM development history traces the program to a 1973 Chief of Naval Operations requirement for defense against anti-ship cruise missiles.

    Sources: Rolling Airframe Missile Development, Test, Evaluation, and Integration

  2. U.S.-German engineering development begins

    The RAM program entered full-scale engineering development as a U.S.-German cooperative effort, with General Dynamics selected as prime contractor and German industry supporting the work.

    Sources: Rolling Airframe Missile Development, Test, Evaluation, and Integration

  3. Initial U.S. Navy fleet deployment

    JHU APL describes initial RAM Block 0 development leading to U.S. Navy fleet deployment in 1993.

    Sources: Rolling Airframe Missile Development, Test, Evaluation, and Integration

  4. Latin American launcher delivery

    Raytheon reported delivery of a RAM launcher to the Mexican Navy for the POLA offshore patrol vessel program in 2018.

    Sources: RAM Missile - Raytheon Emirates

  5. Hessen uses RAM in Red Sea defense

    Naval News and The War Zone reported that German frigate Hessen used its RAM/RIM-116 system while intercepting Houthi-controlled drones during EUNAVFOR Aspides operations.

    Sources: Missile Woes For German Navy Amid Red Sea Operation, German Frigate Mistakenly Fires On MQ-9, Downs Two Houthi Drones

Media

MK 31 RAM Launcher Videos

MK 31 RAM Launcher Images

MK 31 RAM Launcher, Surface-to-air missile launcher, Air Defense - view 1
Source: Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher photo
MK 31 RAM Launcher, Surface-to-air missile launcher, Air Defense - view 2
Source: Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher photo
Related Weapon Systems
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, Ship-launched surface-to-air missile, MunitionsMunitionsRIM-116 Rolling Airframe MissileShip-launched surface-to-air missileThe RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile is a U.S.-German ship self-defense missile used with the MK 31 RAM guided missile weapon system and SeaRAM launchers. U.S. Navy and Raytheon sources describe it as a lightweight, quick-reaction, fire-and-forget weapon for close defense against anti-ship missiles and other air or surface threats, while Red Sea reporting documents a German frigate firing a RIM-116 against Houthi drones in 2024.
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAM, Land-based close-in weapon system, Air DefenseAir DefenseCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAMLand-based close-in weapon systemCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system (C-RAM), also known as the Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System, is a U.S. close-in air-defense and force-protection system derived from the Navy Phalanx gun mount. Army and CJTF-OIR sources document LPWS/C-RAM use protecting bases and high-value sites in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, while the shipboard Phalanx lineage also appears in Red Sea close-in missile defense.
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Standard Missile-2 (SM-2), Shipboard surface-to-air missile family, MunitionsMunitionsStandard Missile-2 (SM-2)Shipboard surface-to-air missile familyThe Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) is a Raytheon-built shipboard surface-to-air missile family used by U.S. and allied navies for fleet area air defense and ship self-defense. Aegis ships launch SM-2 from vertical launch systems, guide it by inertial navigation and mid-course commands, and use semi-active radar or infrared terminal homing in later medium-range blocks. U.S. Navy reporting documents USS Carney firing an SM-2 in October 2023 during Red Sea defense operations against Houthi missiles and drones.
Mercedes-Benz truck 2031, 6x6 truck chassis launcher base, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentMercedes-Benz truck 20316x6 truck chassis launcher baseMercedes-Benz truck 2031 is a modified 6x6 commercial truck chassis identified in open sources as a launcher base for Iran's Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missile. Army Recognition describes the Fateh-110 on a modified Mercedes-Benz 2031 with one front axle, two rear axles, four launch stabilizers, and a single rail running along the chassis; CSIS separately classifies the Fateh-110 as a road-mobile solid-propellant missile.
Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Ship self-defense missile, MunitionsMunitionsEvolved Sea Sparrow MissileShip self-defense missileThe Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a NATO-cooperative ship self-defense missile family built by Raytheon for surface combatants and carrier self-defense. U.S. Navy, RTX, and NATO Seasparrow sources describe it as a medium-range guided weapon for anti-ship cruise missiles, aircraft, drones, and maneuvering surface threats; documented combat use includes USS Mason's 2016 Yemen self-defense engagement and Red Sea crisis firings against Houthi threats.

Sources

NAVSEA Technical Capabilities ManualPublisher: NAVSEA Warfare Centers | Note: Supports the MK 31 RAM Guided Missile Weapon System designation and Raytheon Missile Systems contractor context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)Publisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports RAM launcher family background, the U.S.-German cooperative program context, ship self-defense role, and launcher specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RAM Missile - Raytheon EmiratesPublisher: Raytheon Emirates | Note: Supports MK 31 system composition, MK 44 and MK 49 relationship, 21-missile capacity, ship-sensor integration, international cooperation, and the 2018 Mexican Navy launcher delivery. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rolling Airframe Missile Development, Test, Evaluation, and IntegrationPublisher: Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest | Note: Supports the RAM GMWS development timeline, U.S.-German cooperative development, MK 31 composition, and host-ship sensor integration concept. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Navy Combatants Can Defend Against Emerging Missile ThreatPublisher: National Defense / NAVSEA | Note: Supports SeaRAM context as a combination of the MK 15 CIWS and MK 31 RAM guided-missile weapon system, and notes RAM installation on amphibious ships and the Freedom-class LCS variant. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Missile Woes For German Navy Amid Red Sea OperationPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct use: FGS Hessen, assigned to EUNAVFOR Aspides, intercepted hostile UAVs and was reported to have used its RAM missile system during the encounter. | Accessed: 2026-07-02German Navy Wraps Red Sea Mission, Begins Indo-Pacific DeploymentPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct use: Hessen conducted EUNAVFOR Aspides combat operations, destroyed Houthi drones, and returned with spent or missing RAM rounds in its forward launcher. | Accessed: 2026-07-02German Frigate Mistakenly Fires On MQ-9, Downs Two Houthi DronesPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct use: reports that Hessen shot down a second Houthi drone with a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Bundeswehr: Korvetten der Braunschweig-KlassePublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the Braunschweig/K130 class relationship by listing two RIM-116 RAM launchers as part of the class armament. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Fregatten der Sachsen-Klasse | BundeswehrPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the Sachsen/F124 class relationship by listing two RIM-116 RAM launchers among the class close-defense weapons. | Accessed: 2026-07-02USS Sioux City (LCS-11) Naval Historical EvaluationPublisher: NAVSEA | Note: Supports USS Sioux City being listed with one MK 31 RAM Launcher in its armament. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher photoPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the launcher image used for the hero image. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Sailors load rolling airframe missile launcher photoPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the launcher image used for the gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-02USS New Orleans fires RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile photoPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the public-domain gallery image showing a RIM-116 RAM launch from a forward launcher. | Accessed: 2026-07-02