In case you missed it, here’s a brief update on ESSM Blk 2
missile deliveries. According to
DOT&E[1], ESSM production missiles began delivery to the Navy in July
2022. Raytheon has just delivered the
500th missile to the Navy.[2]
That’s 500 missiles in a bit over three years. That also tells us what the entire current,
maximum Blk 2 inventory for the Navy is.
Those who envision ships teeming with quad-packed ESSM missiles should
note that a single Burke, with 96 VLS cells, would consume almost the entire
inventory of ESSM Blk 2 missiles!
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ESSM Blk 2 |
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/10/rtxs-raytheon-delivers-500th-essm-block-2-to-u-s-navy/
2023 max capacity was 300 per year and should now be at 540 per year. So far as I know ours is the only production line so it also serves the entire consortium. https://x.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1791803542572777625?lang=ar
ReplyDeleteI've been told by an acquaintance serving on a Tico that while you *can* quadpack ESSM into a Mk41 cell, there are certain modifications that have to be made to accomodate that, and it's a dockyard job.
ReplyDeleteHe hinted that an average range of ESSM-modified VLS cells would be 8 to 16 cells, because all the cells in a 8-cell bank would need to have the modifications. Which is still some 32 to 64 defensive missiles, to be sure.