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500th SeaSparrow Missile Delivered From Raytheon Facility

By Staff Writer | August 14, 2006

      Raytheon Co. [RTN] delivered its 500th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) to the Navy, the company announced.

      ESSM is an international cooperative upgrade of the RIM-7 SeaSparrow Missile, which is developed and produced by U.S. and overseas companies. The first production ESSM was delivered in 2002.

      The missile provides increased battlespace protection against high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship cruise missiles. The U.S. Navy and allied navies have deployed ESSM for local area and ship self defense.

      Countries that comprise the ESSM consortium are the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Turkey.

      Final assembly and testing of the milestone missile occurred at Raytheon’s all-up-round facility in Camden, Ark.