Raytheon is celebrating a milestone in defense technology and development. Wednesday, company leaders recognized the completion and delivery of its 5,000th Rolling Airframe Missile, commonly called RAM.
The weapon is installed on ships and designed to intercept and destroy anti-ship missiles, enemy aircraft and small boats.
The RAM project began in the mid-1970’s as a collaboration between the United States, German governments, Raytheon, and a similar German company.
“The fact that we can get together with two countries for 40 years and develop such a missile its really amazing,” said Raytheon Vice President of Naval and Area Mission Defense Todd Callahan. He says the company’s goal is to now produce 10,000 missiles but its possible the next 5,000 will be meant for different targets than the first.
Raytheon officials said staff is now analyzing new and emerging threats and adapting the RAM to defend American and ally ships.
“We're constantly looking at evolutions, things we can change, and improve the capability of this missile we're very confident in its ability to defend our ships today and we'll continue to look at those threats as they advance in the future,” said Justin Jenia, RAM Program Director.
The United States, Germany, and six other nations now use the weapon system.
