LOUISVILLE, Ky., August 13, 2003. Raytheon unveiled the first developmental model of the SeaRAM anti-ship missile defense system built at its Louisville plant. It is the latest addition to Raytheon's ship self-defense suite of the Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System and the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) guided missile weapon system.

SeaRAM is a low-risk, low-cost spiral development of the proven Phalanx Block 1B and the RAM, the latter produced jointly by Raytheon and RAMSys of Germany. Intended to enlarge the keep-out range against sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, aircraft and large surface threats, SeaRAM utilizes the enhanced Phalanx sensors and replaces the M61A1 Gatling Gun with an 11-round RAM missile guide.

"SeaRAM provides a self-contained ship defense capability which leverages proven multi-spectral sensors with the demonstrated lethality of the RAM missile," said Troy Oberg, Raytheon's SeaRAM program manager in Tucson, Ariz. "Additionally, SeaRAM fits the exact installation footprint as Phalanx, uses the same power and requires minimal shipboard modification."

In 2001 Raytheon provided an engineering model of SeaRAM to the United Kingdom's Royal Navy for suitability testing. Later in 2001 Raytheon, in conjunction with the U. S. Navy, successfully fired four blast test vehicles which measured rocket motor forces and demonstrated software features. The launches also confirmed that SeaRAM's forward-looking infrared sensor can withstand multiple launches without damage.

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