The US Navy has issued an approximately $833-million contract modification to Raytheon for the production of additional Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 assemblies and related containers supporting 12 partner nations.
The agreement supports the NATO SEASPARROW Surface Missile System (NSSMS) consortium, which includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.
Production work will take place at more than 20 facilities worldwide, including Tucson, Arizona (12 percent), Edinburgh, Australia (11 percent), and Mississauga, Canada (10 percent).
Funded primarily through FY2026 US Navy and allied nation contributions, along with smaller allocations from previous fiscal years, the program is scheduled for completion by September 2030.
ESSM Program
The NSSMS manages the ESSM initiative, which provides ship-launched air defense capabilities for naval platforms such as aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, and cruisers against fast, low-altitude, and maneuverable threats including aircraft, drones, and supersonic anti-ship missiles.
The Block 2 variant introduces an active radar seeker that enables autonomous terminal guidance, enhanced maneuverability, and adaptable software upgrades to counter evolving threats.
The missile measures 3.66 meters (12 feet) in length, weighs approximately 280 kilograms (617 pounds), can reach speeds of Mach 4, and has an operational range of 50 to 70 kilometers (31 to 44 miles).
