Mention of ESSM 2 to counter ASBM's:
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2013IAMD/Horn.pdf
• ESSM Block 2 upgrade replaces the largely obsolete guidance section with a dual
mode Active/Semi-Active X-Band seeker capable of defeating future threat capabilities
within the existing envelope, including;
– Increased raid sizes and adverse environments including countermeasures.
– Threat types include; advanced ASCMs, ASBMs, surface and asymmetrical.
Another military declassified source indicating ESSM 2 is for use against ASBM's:
http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y2013/Navy/stamped/0604756N_5_PB_2013.pdf
Page 9:
5. ESSM Block 2 Risk Reduction: ESSM Block 2 upgrade is a cooperative effort between U.S Navy and NATO SEASPARROW Consortium Nations. ESSM Block 2
upgrade replaces the largely obsolete guidance section with a dual mode Active/Semi-Active X-Band seeker capable of defeating future threat capabilities within the
existing envelope, including; smaller signatures, increased raid sizes, and adverse environments including countermeasures. Threat types include; advanced Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM)s, Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles (ASBMs), surface and asymmetrical.
Range quoted in excess of 25nm:
http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2015/04/essm-seasparrow-emd.html
The ESSM Block 2, scheduled for deployment with the Navy and allied navies in 2020, is a ship self-defense missile with a dual-mode X-band radar seeker than can engage enemy planes and missiles at ranges beyond 25 miles.
Ranges fall in line with this article indicating a change in air defense tactics:
http://cimsec.org/peeling-back-the-layers-a-new-concept-for-air-defense/15222
The ESSM fits four to a VLS cell–quadrupling air defense capacity–while it’s range will be about 10-30 miles. It would thus engage incoming ASCMs at about the same range as electronic warfare (EW) jamming, deception, and decoy systems (depending on the ASCM’s altitude). This will make it possible for EW to reduce the number of interceptors expended, compared to today’s scheme in which EW is only used after interceptors have failed.
Interception test of a high diving supersonic target by an older ESSM system that is not upgraded with the ESSM 2 software:
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/ESSM_intercept_of_high_diving_threat_proves_expanded_defensive_capability_999.html
Raytheon's Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) destroyed a high-diving, supersonic threat during a recent firing from the U.S. Navy's Self-Defense Test Ship.
"The success of this firing, highlighted by a skin-to-skin intercept, is a direct result of a series of enhancements to what is truly an international missile," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Naval and Area Mission Defense product line.
Significantly, no software changes were required to prove the ESSM's enhanced capability.
Mention of software changes to RAM Block 2 and ESSM Block 2 to increase engagement envelopes of the new systems.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/05/07/navy-spends-16b-to-upgrade-carrier-and-amphib-ship-defenses.html
The new RAM Block 2 variant includes a new RF receiver, new navigation system and increased diameter to 6-inches, Raytheon officials said. The weapon has a dual mode RF and IR guidance system. The Block 2 missile is 9.45 feet long, weighs 194-pounds and is able to reach supersonic speeds, according to Raytheon and Navy information.
The new missile variant also includes enhanced guidance algorithms and a more powerful dual-thrust rocket motor enabling the missile to reach longer ranges, Raytheon officials said. Overall, the Navy plans to acquire at least 502 RAMs between 2015 and 2019, service officials said.
The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block II, or ESSM, is a new version of an existing Sea Sparrow weapons system currently protecting aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers, amphibious assault ships and other vessels against anti-ship missiles and other surface and airborne short-range threats to ships, Navy officials said.
As part of the SSDS overhaul, Navy leaders are now working on a wide range of software and hardware fixes to amphibs and carriers so that they can accommodate the upgraded RAM and ESSM missiles.
"From a combat systems perspective I am updating the software to be able to handle the speed and the ranges that those missiles can now function against. It is both software and hardware. I also have to upgrade the Sea Sparrow launchers to take the added weight of the Sea Sparrow Block 2, upgrade the RAM launchers to take the new RAM systems and I have to upgrade the radar to allow the data to flow back and forth," Fanta said.
"I'm doing something within the software or the actual hardware of these systems. A lot of it is algorithm work and a lot of it is making the launchers able to turn faster with more weight in each missile tube," Fanta added. The upgrades are also integrating a defensive weapon called Close-In-Weapons-System or CIWS, Navy leaders explained.
"It is a close-loop fire protection system all by itself. It has a radar and it has a gun. It is trainable and you can do different levels of integration with CIWS. It is either stand alone or it has some level of integration with the other sensors on board," Hill said.
Seems like they heard Dysta's suggestion of integrating the systems with CIWS. [8D]
Also interesting is that there is mention of software, seeker, changes for the ESSM Blk 2, but no real changes to the warhead or propulsion.
Link below shows differences to the ESSM vs ESSM Blk 2 on page 7:
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2015armament/TuesdayLadner.pdf
And it's nice to know it's all there to look at and learn about.
