Raytheon Delivers 500th ESSM Block 2 to U.S. Navy
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Raytheon Delivers 500th ESSM Block 2 to U.S. Navy

Missile provides reliable ship self-defense against air and sea-surface threats

Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has delivered its 500th ESSM Block 2 missile to the U.S. Navy. The company is investing in infrastructure and material to continue deliveries, with plans to nearly double production rates by June 2026.

ESSM Block 2 is an advanced surface-to-air missile that has proven effective against a variety of air and sea-surface threats. It features an upgraded guidance system with a dual-mode active and semi-active radar seeker, increased maneuverability, and improved performance over its Block 1 predecessor.

"ESSM plays a crucial role in helping to ensure both ship self-defense and local area defense for U.S. and allied navies around the globe," said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. "The continued delivery of this capability is a testament to the strong partnerships and shared commitment among our team, our customers, and our allied nations to equip our servicemen and women with the best defense solutions."

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ESSM is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium composed of 12 nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States. The consortium is NATO's largest and most successful cooperative weapons project and represents over 50 years of international military-industrial cooperation.


Publishdate:
Oct 1, 2025