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

The MK 31 RAM Launcher is a shipboard surface-to-air missile launcher in the Rolling Airframe Missile family. NAVSEA lists the MK 31 RAM Guided Missile Weapon System under Raytheon Missile Systems, and USS Sioux City's 2025 historical evaluation lists one launcher in the ship's armament.

MK 31 RAM Launcher, Surface-to-air missile launcher, Air Defense

Image source: Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher photo

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States / Germany
Built by: Raytheon Missile Systems
Built in: United States
Type: Surface-to-air missile launcher
Service note: 1990s-present

air defense launcher naval SAM shipboard

Specifications

System: MK 31 RAM Guided Missile Weapon System
Role: Ship self defense
Missile capacity: 21
Associated missile: RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile
Contractor: Raytheon Missile Systems

Carrier Ship

USS Sioux City is listed with one MK 31 RAM Launcher in its armament.

Ship	Type	Evidence
Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship	Freedom-variant littoral combat ship	Listed with one MK 31 RAM Launcher in its armament.

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: In U.S. Navy shipboard service as a close-in self-defense launcher.
Used by: United States Navy

Media

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

Related Weapon Systems

2P25 launch vehicle, Transport and launch vehicle for three 3M9 missiles, Air Defense

Air Defense2P25 launch vehicleTransport and launch vehicle for three 3M9 missilesThe 2P25 launch vehicle is the Soviet tracked transporter-erector-launcher for the 2K12 Kub / SA-6 system. It carries three ready 3M9 missiles on a GM-578 tracked chassis and was designed for 360-degree launcher coverage.

Akash Air Force Launcher, Mobile launcher system for Akash medium-range surface-to-air missiles, Air Defense

Air DefenseAkash Air Force LauncherMobile launcher system for Akash medium-range surface-to-air missilesAkash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) is Tata Advanced Systems' mobile launcher for the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile family. Tata says the self-powered, trailer-mounted system can carry and launch up to three missiles in single or salvo mode, and that four AAFLs make up one Akash firing unit.

Albatros, Naval surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseAlbatrosNaval surface-to-air missile systemAlbatros is an Italian naval surface-to-air missile system built around Aspide-family missiles for frigate and corvette point defense. Weaponsystems.net says the system entered service in 1977, used Mk 29 octuple launchers, and could be updated for Aspide 2000; MBDA later described Albatros as the legacy family behind Albatros NG.

Albatros NG, Naval air defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseAlbatros NGNaval air defense systemAlbatros NG is MBDA's new generation naval air defense system for ships, built around CAMM-ER to provide self and local area protection beyond 40 kilometers. MBDA says the system continues the legacy Albatros naval line that served the Italian Navy and export customers for years.

S-75 Dvina / SA-2 Guideline, High-altitude surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseS-75 Dvina / SA-2 GuidelineHigh-altitude surface-to-air missile systemThe S-75 Dvina, known to NATO as the SA-2 Guideline, is a Soviet command-guided, high-altitude surface-to-air missile system built around fixed or semi-mobile launch sites, acquisition radar, and Fan Song guidance radar. In the Yemen Civil War, Houthi-aligned forces are documented as having inherited SA-2/S-75 stocks and converting some surviving missiles into Qaher and Muhit strike missiles, while the operational status of intact SA-2 SAM batteries remains uncertain.

Standard Missile-3 (SM-3), Ship- and ground-launched exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense

Air DefenseStandard Missile-3 (SM-3)Ship- and ground-launched exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptorThe Standard Missile-3 is the U.S. Navy's exo-atmospheric hit-to-kill interceptor for Aegis ballistic missile defense. Fielded from shipboard Mk 41 launchers and Aegis Ashore sites, the family spans Block IA, IB, and IIA variants and reached combat use in April 2024 when U.S. destroyers intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles.

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: 2026-06-27 RIM-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: 2026-06-27 USS 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: 2026-06-27 Mk31 Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher photoPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the launcher image used for the hero image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Sailors load rolling airframe missile launcher photoPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the launcher image used for the gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27