The United States Navy has received the 1,000th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 2, marking a major milestone in a multinational naval weapons programme designed to strengthen the air-defence capabilities of American and allied warships.
The milestone was celebrated on October 28, 2026, in Camden, Arkansas, by representatives of the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium and industry partners involved in the missile programme.
According to the programme office, the achievement represents a significant increase in production, following the delivery of the 500th Block 2 missile in June 2025.
The Evolved SeaSparrow Missile, commonly known as ESSM, is a ship-launched interceptor designed to defend naval vessels against incoming aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles, drones and other potential threats.
The Block 2 variant features an active radar seeker that enables the missile to independently detect and track targets during the final stage of its flight. The system can also utilise ship-based radar guidance when required, providing warships with additional flexibility in responding to aerial threats.
The missile has a reported range of approximately 50 kilometres and can reach speeds exceeding Mach 4. Its compact design also allows four missiles to be accommodated in a single cell of the Mk 41 vertical launch system used by several American and allied warships.
Captain John Bowman, programme manager for the US Navy’s PMX-312 office, described the 1,000th delivery as a significant achievement for the consortium, programme personnel, industry partners and naval crews who depend on the weapon for protection.
Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, serves as the prime contractor for the programme, manufacturing the missiles in Tucson, Arizona, with support from suppliers across Canada, Australia and Europe.
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In April 2026, the US Navy awarded Raytheon an $833 million contract modification covering additional Block 2 missiles and launch canisters for the consortium’s 12 member nations. The contract is scheduled for completion by September 2030.
The NATO SEASPARROW Consortium comprises Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye and the United States. The partners jointly support the development, production and maintenance of the missile system to ensure interoperability among their naval fleets.
Established in 1968, the NATO SEASPARROW Project is among NATO’s longest-running multinational weapons initiatives.
Meanwhile, the US Navy is exploring a potential next-generation version of the missile. In August 2026, the service sought industry proposals for a Next Significant Variant that would retain the existing missile’s 10-inch diameter and remain accessible to all 12 consortium members.
The Navy has yet to announce a formal procurement timeline or clarify whether the proposed variant would replace Block 2 or operate alongside it.
The latest delivery milestone underscores the continuing importance of cooperative defence manufacturing and advanced shipborne air-defence systems as the United States and its allies seek to strengthen maritime security.
