US Navy leads multinational NSV SeaSparrow missile development effort
The U.S. Navy, via the NATO SeaSparrow Project Office, has issued a sources sought notice for a Next Significant Variant (NSV) of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. The new missile must counter advanced threats, fit Mk 41 launch tubes, and use a modular open-system design. The 12-nation consortium includes Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S. Responses are due October 19, with potential contract or prototype award to follow.
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U.S. Navy Seeks Industry Ideas for Next Significant Variant of ESSM Missile
The U.S. Navy, through the Naval Sea Systems Command, has issued a sources sought notice seeking industry proposals for a Next Significant Variant (NSV) of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM). The notice, posted on August 20, calls for designs that fit the existing 10-inch diameter to ensure compatibility with Mk 41 vertical launch systems. The new variant must be releasable to all 12 NATO SEASPARROW consortium nations (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States). The Navy seeks concepts capable of handling a wider range of threats, including maneuvering targets and electronic countermeasures, and requires a Modular Open Systems Approach. Responses are due October 19, and the notice may lead to a contract or prototype award. The current ESSM Block 2, built by RTX (Raytheon), has a range of about 50 km and speed above Mach 4.
U.S. Navy Seeks Industry Ideas for Next Significant Variant of ESSM Missile
The U.S. Navy, through the Naval Sea Systems Command, has issued a sources sought notice seeking industry proposals for a Next Significant Variant (NSV) of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM). The notice, posted on August 20, calls for designs that fit the existing 10-inch diameter to allow quad-pack storage in Mk 41 Vertical Launching Systems without ship modifications. The new variant must be releasable to all 12 NATO SEASPARROW consortium nations (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States). Requirements include handling a wider range of threats, operating in contested environments, tracking multiple closely spaced targets, and countering jamming. The Navy seeks a Modular Open Systems Approach with Government Purpose Rights to technical data. Responses are due October 19, and the notice may lead to a contract or prototype award. No timeline or cost estimates have been disclosed.
US Navy leads multinational effort for next-gen SeaSparrow missile
The U.S. Navy is spearheading a multinational initiative to develop a new variant of the Evolved SeaSparrow air defense missile, known as the NSV SeaSparrow, under the NATO SeaSparrow Project Office (NSPO) consortium. The goal is to create a modular, open-source weapon system capable of countering a wide range of threats, including high-speed missiles, sea-skimming targets, and massed salvos, while operating in contested RF, EO, and IR environments. The missile must fit within a Mark 41 vertical launch tube, have a diameter no greater than 10 inches, and be releasable to all 12 NSPO member nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S. The current Block II RIM-162, manufactured by Raytheon, saw production doubled to over 350 missiles in 2025. The Sources Sought notice emphasizes maximum U.S. government rights in technical data and software to simplify future upgrades and interoperability. The deadline for contractor responses is October 19.
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US Navy leads multinational effort for next-gen SeaSparrow missile
The U.S. Navy is spearheading a multinational initiative to develop a new variant of the Evolved SeaSparrow air defense missile, known as the NSV SeaSparrow, under the NATO SeaSparrow Project Office (NSPO) consortium. The effort involves 12 nations including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S., with additional users like Thailand and the UAE. The new missile must counter a wide range of threats from low-speed to high-speed, sea-skimming to high-diver altitudes, and non-maneuvering to high-G maneuvers. It must defend against massed salvos, operate in contested RF, EO, and IR environments, discriminate closely spaced targets, and handle countermeasures. The design must be modular and open-source, with a 10-inch diameter to fit Mark 41 vertical launch tubes. The current Block II RIM-162 is manufactured by Raytheon, which doubled production to over 350 missiles in 2025. The Sources Sought notice deadline is October 19.
US Navy leads multinational effort for next-gen SeaSparrow missile
The U.S. Navy is spearheading a multinational initiative to develop a new variant of the Evolved SeaSparrow missile, designated the NSV SeaSparrow, under the NATO SeaSparrow Project Office (NSPO) consortium. The new missile aims to counter a wide range of threats including high-speed missiles, sea-skimming targets, and massed salvos, while operating in contested RF, EO, and IR environments. It must have a modular, open-source design, a diameter no larger than 10 inches, and fit in Mark 41 vertical launch tubes. The NSPO seeks a complete missile system with full technical data releasable to all 12 consortium members: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S. The current Block II RIM-162 is manufactured by Raytheon, which doubled production to over 350 missiles in 2025. The effort comes amid high demand for short-range air defense weapons following naval operations in the Persian Gulf.