Sea Sparrow SAM (1979- )

A Sea Sparrow missile is here shown immidiately after vertical launch

A Sea Sparrow missile is here shown immidiately after vertical launch from the guided missile vessel VIBEN.
(Photo: Royal Danish Navy)

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General Specification:

Danish Apellation:

Sea Sparrow SAM

Type of Origin:

Sea Sparrow RIM-7P++

Type:

SAM - Surface-to-Air Missil

Primary Usage:

Surface-to-Air Missil

Engine:

Alliant TechSystems (Hercules) Mk-58 solid-propellant rocket motor

Thrust:

n/a [1]

Length:

3.64 m

Diameter:

20.3 cm

Span:

1.0 m

Weight:

225 kg

Maximum Range:

Est. 14 - 16,000 m (ESSM 18,000 m) (max. ceiling not available) [1]

Speed:

Est. Mach 2,5 [1]

Homing:

Raytheon semi-active on continuous wave or pulsed Doppler radar energy.

Warhead:

Annular blast fragmentation warhead - 40.5 kg

Launcher:

Original:
Mk 29 Launcher (8 missiles)
From ca. 1999:
Mk 48 VLS Launcher (6 missiler)

Unit price:

Est. 165,400 US $ pr. missil

Manufacturer:

Raytheon Co., General Dynamics and Hughes Missile Systems, USA

Country of Origin:

USA 1979

Modifications:

n/a

Weapon or Weapon System in use or used on:
Ship or Class:	Number:	In Service:
ABSALON Class, command & support ships	1-2	2005 -
PEDER SKRAM Class, frigates	1	1979 - 1990
NIELS JUEL Class, corvettes	2	1980 -
FLYVEFISKEN Class, patrol vessels	1	1999 -

Notes:
[1]	No exact unclassified information available
[2]	The command and support ships of the ABSALON Class are normally eqipped with 1-2 Mk 48 VLS Launcher, depending on task, they have also been spotted carrying 3 launchers.
[3]	All units of the FLYVEFISKEN Class can be fitted with 1-2 Mk 48 VLS Launchers, after the launcher now has been containerized into the Standardflex-system. Normally only one is on board.
[4]	The NIELS JUEL Class corvettes were originally fitted with 1 ea Mk 29 Launcher (8 missiles). During a 1999-2000 overhaul those were replaced by 2 ea Mk 48 VLS Launcher (2x6 missiles).
[5]	The frigates of the PEDER SKRAM Class were only fitted with the Mk 29 Launcher.

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Additional Sources:
"	United States Navy Fact File
44You are also referred to the Naval Bibliography

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This page was last updated: -

This page was first published: Januar 27, 2006