This sounds like a great system! I sure hope it is effective against Sunburns, Shipwrecks, and Yakhonts!

Stennis' New Missile System Right on Target
As part of a weapons testing phase, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) fired both of its new Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) systems at a remote-controlled drone for the first time, June 8.

The ship’s two RAM launchers each fired one missile at a BQM-34 Firebee drone, which was about four miles out and incoming and had been launched from Point Mugu, Calif. Both missiles successfully hit the infrared beacons the drone was carrying from its wings.

“They gave us a green light on both RAM missiles,” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer Capt. Brad Johanson at a debriefing after the missile launch. “The operator execution was outstanding.”

The RAMs were fired as part of a weeklong combat systems ship’s qualification trial (CSSQT) Stennis performed while at sea off the coast of California. The ship’s Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) and NATO Sea Sparrow Missile Systems (NSSMS) were also successfully fired.

“We really did hammer this off flawlessly,” said Johanson, referring to the successful completion of the CSSQT.

RAM was installed aboard Stennis during its docked-planned incremental availability period during 2005, and took the place of one of the ship’s CIWS mounts and one of its NSSMS mounts.

The new missile battery, which was co-developed by Germany and the United States, contains 21 chambers and can be fired at two-second intervals. RAM is a NATO-cooperative program and was designed to be a low-cost, lightweight quick-reaction self-defense system.

“RAM’s a lot cheaper than some of our other weapons systems,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Stacy Hernandez. “It’s really quite simple and it requires much less maintenance than our other systems.”

Unlike the CIWS and NSSMS, the RAM doesn’t have its own radar system. It uses Stennis’ new ship’s self-defense system (SSDS) for guidance, along with infrared and radio frequency tracking, so the missile becomes capable of tracking its target. SSDS was also installed during Stennis’ Docked Planned Incremental Availability period, and makes it possible for the ship to automate the detection and engagement of various threats at sea.

“The ship fired from the forward mount first, hitting one of the beacons the drone was carrying,” said Hernandez, who went to school for the new RAM in 2005. “Shortly afterward, the ship did a 180 degree turn and fired from the aft mount. Both were right on.”

Missiles fired by Stennis’ RAM system reach speeds in excess of Mach 2, twice the speed of sound, and have a range of about three miles.

“It’s very fast, very simple, and can be fired with little to no warning,” said Hernandez. “This thing does its job.”

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) personnel from Port Hueneme were aboard to prepare equipment and train personnel.

“I think it went excellent today,” said Kent Simmons, an in service engineering agent with NAVSEA. “All the training and the time these Sailors spent working all paid off today.”

Simmons called the event a success and added he’s been keeping the Sailors involved very busy.