American developers will create a new high-precision anti-aircraft missile of the “aircraft” class

The USA signed a contract with the Raytheon company for the production of RIM-162 ESSM Block 2 anti-aircraft missiles for the US Navy and foreign customers. The contract is worth $525 million, with a possible increase to $2.19 billion. The production of missiles will be carried out by the NATO SeaSparrow consortium, which includes the USA, Germany, Australia and others, the Military reports.

RIM-162 ESSM — it is a medium-range missile of the “airship” class, designed to protect against anti-ship missiles. Its radius of action reaches up to 50 km, and the maximum speed — Mach 4. In the Block 2 version, the missile is equipped with an active radar homing head.