Ship Self Defense (Engage: Hard Kill)

Ship Self Def (Engage: Hard Kill) under the Navy's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation budget activity, aims to develop systems for the third phase of the Ship Self Defense: Engage Hard Kill. The program focuses on hard kill capabilities using missiles to intercept incoming Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCM) and a Surface-to-Surface Strike weapon system. It includes improvements to various missile systems such as NATO SEASPARROW Missile System (NSSMS), Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), Advanced Low-Cost Munition Ordnance (ALaMO), Over-The-Horizon (OTH) missile, and Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) SeaRAM. The program also involves technology refresh for current and future fleet population and the qualification of a guided 57mm projectile with an active seeker for United States Navy use.

The specific objectives of this program include the development, testing, and fielding of a surface-to-air self-defense system consisting of both a missile launcher and dual-mode passive radio frequency/infrared seeker missiles. The program focuses on developing RAM Block 2B missiles to defend against highly maneuverable ASCM threats and emerging complex raid attacks. Efforts will also integrate RAM variants with new Combat Systems baselines for Aircraft Carriers and Amphibious platforms, conduct electromagnetic environmental effects testing, build virtual RAM models for integrated combat system end-to-end development, and initiate evolutionary agile development efforts to counter new and emerging threats such as hypersonic weapons. Additionally, the program aims to support RAM integration on Aegis platforms and correct issues found during RAM Block 2B development flight tests. The program's acquisition strategy involves directed sole source contracts with Raytheon Missiles & Defense in Tucson, AZ.

Overall, the program seeks to enhance the Navy's ship self-defense capabilities by developing advanced missile systems and technologies to counter evolving threats effectively.