The RIM-7 Sea Sparrow is an American “aircraft” class guided missile with a semi-active radar homing head. It was developed in the early 1960s on the basis of the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile, adopted in 1976. It is a short-range anti-aircraft missile used to provide anti-missile defense of ships.

In the 1960s, the US Navy took up the issue of providing short-range air defense for small-displacement ships. Existing anti-aircraft missile systems, such as the RIM-24 Tartar with beam launchers, were too large to be installed on ships smaller than destroyers and also lacked sufficient missile maneuverability to engage missiles flying close to the ship.

The Navy adapted the AIM-7 Sparrow for naval use. This missile with a semi-active radar homing had a range of up to 32 km and could attack oncoming aircraft on an oncoming course.

The adaptation of the missile, which is the basic point defense missile system (BPDMS), was carried out very quickly. The launcher, created on the basis of the RUR-5 ASROC container launcher, contained 8 missiles. Their guidance was carried out with the help of manually-controlled Mark 115 radars, the principle of guidance was simple: the operator, receiving voice instructions from the general detection radar task, guided the Mark-115 radar installation to a visually tracked target and “lighted” for semi-active GOS missiles. The launcher automatically repeated the movements of the radar and then turned towards the enemy.

The first version of the Sea Sparrow was far from a perfect weapon. The rocket’s engine, designed to be launched from an aircraft, had a long burn time, but had little thrust initially due to the rocket’s very slow acceleration. Its range was limited to only 10 kilometers.

As a result, the dimensions of the missile launcher turned out to be larger than calculated, which did not allow installing the system on a ship with a displacement of less than a frigate. And in itself, targeting a missile with the help of a hand-controlled radar was an imperfect and unreliable solution. The need for the radar operator to visually see the target limited the use of the complex, rendering it useless in conditions of poor visibility. Only the following changes made it possible to improve the indicators of the complex.

Changes:

• RIM-7E is the first model of the complex, adopted in 1967. It was armed with an AIM-7E missile and had a manual guidance illumination radar with visual target tracking.
• The RIM-7F is a modified version with the AIM-7H missile.
• RIM-7H is a modification of the complex, realized on the initiative of the European NATO allies of the USA, who wanted to equip their light ships with a compact air defense system. The first model to be officially designated the Sea Sparrow. It used the folding-wing RIM-7H missile. This made it possible to store the missile on more compact Mk-29 launchers and install the complex on lighter ships. The guidance system was also improved, the MK-95 target illumination radar received automatic control and did not require an operator. It entered service in 1973.
• RIM-7M is a modification of the complex with a new single-pulse search engine and Mark 91 automatic fire control system, as well as electronics adapted for use on ships, and uses the AIM-7M missile. The first version of the complex was adapted for use on the Mk-41 and Mk-48 vertical launchers.
• RIM-7P is an improved version of the AIM-7P missile complex. It had an increased range and an autopilot that communicated with the onboard computer via a data transmission channel.

Tactical and technical features:

• Weight: 230 kg
• Length: 3.64 meters
• Diameter: 0.203m
• Wingspan: 1.02 m

aiming range:

• Minimum 1.5 km
• Maximum – up to 30 km

lesion height:

• Minimum – 6 m
• maximum 15240 m

• Combat unit: high explosive fragmentation WDU-27/B
• Warhead weight: 40.5 kg
• Engine: RDTT Hercules MK-58
• Flight speed: > 3.5M
• Launcher: Mk 29 Mod 1 with 8 charges, UVP Mk 41 and Mk 48
• Fire control system: Mk 91

Source: Port Altele

Maurice

I’m Maurice Knox, a professional news writer with a focus on science. I work for Div Bracket. My articles cover everything from the latest scientific breakthroughs to advances in technology and medicine. I have a passion for understanding the world around us and helping people stay informed about important developments in science and beyond.