SeaSparrows nest on NATO vessels

has been awarded a contract from US Naval Sea Systems Command and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Seasparrow Project Office for the company's MK 57 and MK 29 NATO SeaSparrow missile systems.

Under the contract, which has a maximum value of $21.5 million, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will develop, test and deliver the launcher systems, components and support that enable critical self-defence capabilities for US and allied navy ships.

The MK 57 NATO SeaSparrow Surface Missile System (NSSMS) is the primary self-defence weapons system installed on naval aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. As the prime contractor and mission systems integrator for the MK 57 NSSMS, IDS provides the hardware and processing required for launch and control of the US Navy's SeaSparrow and Evolved SeaSparrow self defence missiles.

The upgraded MK 57 NSSMS is said to integrate commercial off-the-shelf hardware for processing and displays and microprocessors for signal processing. It also integrates new solid state transmitter technology to create an open system compatible with the Navy Standard Command and Control integrated ship defence suite (formerly known as IDS' Ship Self Defense System Mk 2), while providing the enhancements needed to allow full use of the capabilities of the new Evolved SeaSparrow Missile.