This Is AWESOME: The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile

I don’t know about you guys, but I really, really, like things that go BOOM!! The truth is, I’ve always loved explosives, or in particular, precision explosive devices. Considering all the technology at our disposal, it simply amazes me how we are able to come up with more and more precision long range missiles for both offense and defensive capabilities.

And when it comes to defensive capabilities, nothing is better, than the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM).

The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, South Korean, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Mexican, UAE, and U.S. Navies.

It was originally intended and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship missiles. The Rolling Airframe Missiles, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, make up the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS).

The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) unit weighs 5,777 kilograms (12,736 lb) and stores 21 missiles. Variants: Block 0 (RIM-116A), The original version of the missile, called Block 0, was based on the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile, whose rocket motor, fuze, and warhead were used.

The Block 1 (RIM-116B) is an improved version of the RAM missile that adds an overall infrared-only guidance system that enables it to intercept missiles that are not emitting any radar signals.

The Block 0’s radar homing capabilities have been retained. The Block 2 (RIM-116C) is an upgraded version of the RAM missile aimed at more effectively countering more maneuverable anti-ship missiles through a four-axis independent control actuator system, increased rocket motor capability, an improved passive radio frequency seeker and upgraded components of the infrared seeker, and advanced kinematics.

Now sit back and watch the RAM in action, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!

H/T – US Military News