Munitions

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile

Also known as
  • RIM-116 RAM
  • Rolling Airframe Missile
  • RAM missile
  • RAM Block 0
  • RAM Block 1
  • RAM Block 1A
  • RAM Block 2
  • RAM Block 2B
  • RIM-116A
  • RIM-116B
  • RIM-116C
  • RIM-116E

The 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.

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, Ship-launched surface-to-air missile, Munitions
Image source: Sailors load rolling airframe missile launcher photo

Role in Conflicts

2023 Red Sea Crisis
Air DefenseForce Protection
Side
European Union maritime forces

German frigate Hessen, operating with EUNAVFOR Aspides in the Red Sea, was reported to have shot down a Houthi drone with a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile after engaging another drone with its 76 mm gun.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States / Germany
Type
Ship-launched surface-to-air missile
Service note
1990s-present
Designer
U.S.-German RAM program
Designed
1970s-1990s
Produced
1980s-present

Specifications

Role
Ship self-defense missile
Launch systems
MK 31 guided missile weapon system and SeaRAM
Guidance
Block-dependent passive radio-frequency and infrared homing modes
Block 1A dimensions
9.3 ft length, 5 in diameter, 17.5 in wingspan
Block 2 dimensions
9.45 ft length, 6.25 in diameter, 12.65 in wingspan
Block 2 weight
194.4 lb (88.2 kg)
Warhead
7.9 lb explosive weight in Navy Block 1A/Block 2 specifications
Block 2 changes
Larger rocket motor, advanced control section, and enhanced RF receiver
MK 49 capacity
21 missiles in the MK 49 guided missile launching system
SeaRAM capacity
11-round launcher in the MK15 Mod 32 SeaRAM Close-In Weapon System
Variants

The RAM family has moved from the original RF/IR Block 0 missile through infrared-improved Block 1A and larger, more maneuverable Block 2 rounds; later U.S. procurement records identify Block 2B guided missile round packs.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Block 0Original RAM configuration

The U.S. Navy describes Block 0 as using RF midcourse guidance before switching to infrared terminal guidance, with production now complete.

Sources: RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)

Block 1A / RIM-116BInfrared-improved configuration

Block 1A added autonomous infrared-all-the-way guidance for threats that do not radiate RF energy; Navy specifications list deployment in August 1999.

Sources: RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)

Block 2 / RIM-116CKinematic and guidance upgrade

Block 2 added a larger rocket motor, evolved RF receiver, and four-canard control-section upgrade; the U.S. Navy lists May 2015 deployment and November 2018 approval for full-rate production.

Sources: RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)

Block 2BLater guided missile round pack

U.S. contract and DSCA notices identify RAM Block 2B guided missile round packs and a possible Japanese purchase of RAM Block 2B, RIM-116E tactical missiles.

Sources: Contracts For Apr. 3, 2025, Japan - Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2B Tactical Missiles

Shipboard Launch Systems

The missile is carried in RAM launcher systems fitted to naval vessels for close-in self defense.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
MK 31 RAM Launcher, Surface-to-air missile launcher, Air DefenseMK 31 RAM LauncherShipboard RAM launcher

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

Timeline

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Key Events

  1. Block 2 reaches initial operating capability

    The U.S. Navy fact file lists May 2015 for RAM Block 2 initial operating capability and identifies the upgrade's larger rocket motor, evolved RF receiver, and control-section changes.

  2. Reported Red Sea combat firing

    The War Zone reported that German frigate Hessen shot down a Houthi drone with a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile while operating in the Red Sea.

  3. Japan Block 2B sale approval

    DSCA announced State Department approval for a possible Japanese purchase of RAM Block 2B, RIM-116E tactical missiles and related equipment.

  4. Block 2B procurement option

    A U.S. contract notice awarded Raytheon a fiscal 2025 option for RAM Block 2B guided missile round packs, with work split across Germany, Arizona, the United Kingdom, and other U.S. sites.

Media

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Videos

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Images

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, Ship-launched surface-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1
Source: Sailors load rolling airframe missile launcher photo
Related Weapon Systems
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.

Sources

RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)Publisher: United States Navy | Note: Supports RIM-116 identity, ship self-defense role, cooperative U.S.-German program context, variants, Block 1A and Block 2 specifications, and launcher family background. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RAM Missile - Raytheon EmiratesPublisher: Raytheon Emirates | Note: Supports RAM missile role, Block 2 improvements, MK 31 system composition, MK 49 and SeaRAM launcher context, and international production/cooperation context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rolling Airframe Missile Development, Test, Evaluation, and IntegrationPublisher: Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest | Note: Supports RAM development history, guidance concept, U.S.-German cooperative development, and MK 31 system composition. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2 DOT&E FY2018Publisher: Director, Operational Test and Evaluation | Note: Supports Block 0, Block 1/1A, Block 2, Block 2B development context, SeaRAM 11-round launcher context, and RAM Block 2 operational testing. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Contracts For Apr. 3, 2025Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports fiscal 2025 procurement of RAM Block 2B guided missile round packs and the U.S.-German cooperative production context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Japan - Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2B Tactical MissilesPublisher: Defense Security Cooperation Agency | Note: Supports the RIM-116E designation for RAM Block 2B and RTX Corporation as principal contractor in a 2024 possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Missile Woes For German Navy Amid Red Sea OperationPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct use: German frigate Hessen, assigned to EUNAVFOR Aspides, was reported to have used its RAM missile system against Houthi-controlled drones. | 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 Houthi drone with a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Sailors load rolling airframe missile launcher photoPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports image provenance for the RAM missile loading image used on this weapon page. | 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 USS New Orleans. | Accessed: 2026-07-02