A screen shot of the Guided Test Vehicle Flight Test for Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 conducted on 12 June 2018 from Self-Defense Test Ship at Point Mugu Sea Range. (NAVSEA)RTX subsidiary Raytheon has been awarded a US$250 million contract by Japanese prime Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for licensed production of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 system.
Raytheon said in a 24 June announcement that it will supply missile kits, parts, components, and technical support for ESSM Block 2 production at MELCO’s facility in Japan.
The company noted that the latest ESSM variant reduces dependence on shipboard guidance and is integrated on a wide variety of combat systems and launchers, and can be more readily upgraded to address evolving threats via software improvements.
“This innovative licensed production arrangement is the culmination of decades of partnership,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon.
“As Japan invests in this critical weapon system, it will strengthen their defence capabilities while reinforcing the vital security alliance between our nations,” added Borgonovi.
Raytheon and MELCO have previously worked together. Last year, MELCO was contract by Raytheon to supply components of the SPY-6(V) active electronically scanned array 3D radar for US Navy (USN) vessels.
According to MELCO, the agreement with Raytheon paves the way for production of SPY-6(V) components to be supplied to the USN. It also presents a future opportunity for the Japanese company to participate in the USN defence-equipment supply chain business via Raytheon.
MELCO also noted that it has had a successful relationship with Raytheon since the 1960s.
“Through its supply and maintenance of defence equipment, Mitsubishi Electric is committed to strengthening Japan-US security cooperation based on the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology set out by the Japanese government in 2014,” the company said in an earlier statement.
by Jr Ng