RAMSYS Displayed the RAM Block II Missile at DIMDEX 2022
RAM-System GmbH (RAMSYS), a joint venture in charge of program management and marketing of the RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) naval self-defense missile system in Europe, displayed the RIM-116C RAM Block II Missile at the 7th edition of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX 2022).
Along with its US partner Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS), RAMSYS is jointly responsible for development, production, system improvements, logistic services and worldwide marketing and sales of the RAM ship self-defense weapon system.
A RAMSYS official spoke to Defence Turkey Magazine and disclosed that the company has recently secured a contract in March 2022 from Turkey for the delivery of an undisclosed number of RIM-116C RAM Block II Missiles for the Turkish Naval Forces (TNF) under a direct sales approach. As in the case with previous RAM ship self-defense weapon system contracts with Turkey, ASELSAN will act as the local main subcontractor and will be responsible for the installation and integration of RIM-116C RAM Block II Missiles on the existing Mk49 Mod 3 Launchers onboard ADA Class Corvettes and their integration with GENSİS and GENİSİS ADVENT Combat Management Systems. The rotatable and elevating Mk49 Mod 3 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) with 21 cells can store and fire both RIM-116 Block I and Block II missiles.
The last two ADA Class Corvettes, the TCG Burgazada, and the TCG Kınalıada were supposed to be armed with RAM Block II Missiles. In this context, negotiations with both RAMSYS and Raytheon Missile Systems (via the FMS channel) for the procurement of RAM Block II Missiles to meet the Navy’s requirements were carried out in 2017 and 2018. However, since the contract award did not take place before the commissioning of the third ADA Class Corvette, the TCG Burgazada (F-513) on 4 November 2018, and the fourth and last vessel the TCG Kınalıada (F-514) on 29 September 2019 the corvettes entered the service of the Turkish Naval Forces without RAM Block II missiles. According to video footage from the commissioning ceremonies, while there were only nine canisters (probably either dummy or filled with RIM-116B-1 Block IA/HAS missiles) in the Mk49 Launcher on the TCG Burgazada, the Mk49 Launcher on the TCG Kınalıada was empty.
Designed to pace the evolving anti-ship cruise missile threat and improve performance against complex stream raid engagement scenarios, the RAM Block II Missile is a little bit longer and larger than the Block I version but there is enough space in the Mk49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS, Launcher). Even the Block II Missile is a little bit heavier, roughly 20 kg, than the Block I versions and the total weight of the 21-Cell Mk49 Mod 3 Launcher is about a half a ton heavier then when it was equipped with RAM Block II Missiles but there’s no update required for the trains and for the platform due to the increase in weight. Since from the outer dimension the RAM Block II canister is still the same the RAM Block I it can be directly put it into the Mk49 GMLS. For full integration a software update is required in the below deck equipment and in the hardware components. In this context the Combat Management System (CMS) of the ship that normally thinks there is a RAM Block I Missile in the canister/Launcher with previously identified parameters, needs new software for the Block II Missile to let it recognize that there is a Block II Missile inside the canister.
Stabilized by rolling through the air, the RIM-116B (Block I) and RIM-116B-1 (Block IA HAS [Helicopter, Aircraft, Surface]) Missiles have a length of 2.819 meters, a diameter of 127 millimeters and weighs 73.4 kg, including a 11.3 kg blast fragmentation warhead (with a 3.58 kg [7.9lb] explosive). The Block I and Block IA/HAS missiles are able to travel at a speed of over Mach 2 and have a maximum operational range of 5.1 nm, which was increased with the Block II version. The RIM-116C Block II Missile has a length of 2.88 meters, a diameter of 159 millimeters and weighs 91 kg. The RAM Block II Missile is claimed to have a maximum operational range of 7.5 nm, maximum speed of Mach 2.80 at sea level and can accelerate at +60G’s.
The Mk49 Mod 3 Launchers supplied from RAMSYS are used in 4 ADA Class Corvettes constructed under the MİLGEM (National Vessel) Project. ASELSAN and RAMSYS signed a €10 Million contract on 31 December 2007, for the procurement of one 21-Cell Mk49 Mod 3 Launcher and the electronic sub-systems required to integrate the system into the TCG Heybeliada Corvette, the first ship built under the MİLGEM Project. With this contract award, the Turkish Naval Forces became the 7th RAM user after Germany, the U.S., South Korea, Greece, Egypt, and the UAE. A further contract valued at €18.4 Million was signed with RAMSYS on 19 December 2008, for the supply of 25 RIM-116B-1 Block IA/HAS (24+1 [telemetry]) Missiles to be used on the TCG Heybeliada Corvette. RAMSYS also supplied 25 RIM-116B-1 Block IA/HAS (24+1 [telemetry]) Missiles and a Mk49 Mod 3 Launcher for the TCG Büyükada Corvette. The €17.6 Million contract for the 25 RIM-116 B-1 Block IA/HAS Missiles was signed on July 20, 2011
