U.S. Navy’s NATO SEASPARROW Program Marks Delivery of 1,000th ESSM Block 2 Missile
The U.S Navy’s NATO SEASPARROW Program (PMX-312) marked a major production milestone with delivery of the 1,000th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 produced for the 12-nation NATO SEASPARROW Consortium.
A ship-launched surface-to-air missile, ESSM Block 2 provides critical ship self-defense and local-area defense against advanced airborne and surface threats. The missile delivers a vital layer of protection for ships, Sailors, and maritime operations in increasingly contested environments.
This milestone reflects the continued expansion of ESSM Block 2 production to meet growing U.S. and international demand. The program reached its 500th missile delivery in June 2025, doubling production in just over a year.
“Delivery of the 1,000th ESSM Block 2 missile is a significant achievement for the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, PMX-312, our industry partners, and, most importantly, the Sailors who rely on these weapons as a critical layer of defense,” said Capt. John Bowman, U.S. Navy PMX-312 program manager. “This milestone demonstrates the enduring value of international cooperation and a resilient industrial base in delivering proven maritime-defense capability at the scale our nations require.”
Raytheon, an RTX business, serves as the prime contractor for ESSM Block 2 production. The company works with the U.S. Navy, Consortium nations, and a multinational industrial base to produce and deliver missiles in support of operational requirements.
Established in 1968, the NATO SEASPARROW Project is one of NATO’s longest-running cooperative weapons programs. Its 12 member nations—Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States—collaborate to develop, produce, and sustain interoperable ship self-defense capabilities.
Managed by PAE Munitions’ PMX-312, ESSM Block 2 builds on that legacy by providing participating navies a modern maritime air-defense capability designed to counter evolving threats.
About PAE Munitions Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Munitions is a Department of the Navy organization responsible for the development, procurement, and delivery of naval munitions and strike capabilities. By unifying key weapons programs and aligning the weapons industrial base, PAE Munitions provides enterprise-level integration to accelerate production, increase capacity, and ensure the Fleet is equipped with the munitions needed to project power and win.
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