Raytheon has been awarded a contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to provide SeaRAM ship self-defence systems in support of Australia’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate program. The Sea3000 program is set to replace the decommissioning Anzac-class frigates with 11 Upgraded Mogami-class frigates. Work on this contract will take place in Louisville, Kentucky. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2028.
Under the contract, Raytheon will supply SeaRAM launchers, Blast Test Vehicles, and technical services to support installation and testing of the systems for the first three ships which are being built in Japan by MHI.
“SeaRAM extends the defensive reach of a ship beyond traditional close in weapon system ranges,” said Barbara Borganovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “By integrating SeaRAM on the Royal Australian Navy’s new surface combatants, Australia gains a proven, highly effective terminal air and missile defence layer for its future fleet.”
SeaRAM combines the Phalanx Close In Weapon System (CIWS) with the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) to provide autonomous terminal defence against cruise missiles and other advanced airborne threats. The selection of SeaRAM underscores long term demand for these systems and positions Australia as a new member of the global RAM user community.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected]
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]
Hi Kim. In your magazine you state that the enhanced Mogami will have a 21 cell SeaRam launcher. Are you sure about this. I had read it was the 11-cell launcher. Also, in another article concerning the Collins LOTE you state the Collins will be receiving new engines. I had heard that this has been changed. The first one will not receive a new engine and then it will be on a case-by-case basis? Is this correct?
You are correct about Mogami – it’s a standard 11 cell launcher. That was my mistake. Collins LOTE is still something of a mystery. Originally all of the diesels were going to be replaced by new ones from MTU – but it’s unclear how many (if any) will be retrofitted.