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The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the United States and German Navy. It is intended primarily as a point-defense weapons against anti-ship cruise missiles. The missile uses the same fuses, warhead and rocket motor of the AIM-9 Sidewinder, and the same seeker head as the FIM-92 Stinger. It rolls inflight to provide stability.
The RAM homes in on active radiation emitted from a target, until it picks up an infrared target signature. The onboard Mk 49 launcher installation weighs 5,777 kilograms and stores 21 missiles. This weapon is integrated with the AN/SWY-2 combat system on certain ships and the Ship Self Defense System onboard Whidbey Island class dock landing ships.
The RIM-116 was developed by General Dynamics under a July 1976 agreement with Denmark and West Germany. The first 30 were built under FY 85 and became operation on November 14 1992 aboard USS Peleliu. The Navy hopes to purchase 1,600 RAMs and 115 launchers to equip 74 ships. The RIM-116 is currently used on 60 American and German warships. Greece and South Korea have also signed procurement contracts.
General Characteristics (Block 1)
- Primary Function: Surface-to-Air missile
- Contractor: Areo Dynamics, RAM Systems Germany
- Length: 2780 mm
- Diamter: 127 mm
- Fin span: 445 mm
- Speed: Mach 2.0+
- Warhead: 11.3 kg blast fragmentation
- Launch Weight: 73.5 kg
- Range: 7.5 km
- Guidance System: three modes: passive radio frequency/infrared homing, infrared only, or infrared dual mode enable (radio frequency and infrared homing)
- Unit Cost: $444,000
- Date Deployed: 1992
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