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ESSM Block 2 completes flight test

9th July 2018 - 16:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

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NATO’s Seasparrow Project Office has conducted a successful flight test of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2, intercepting a BQM-74E aerial target, NAVSEA announced on 5 July.

This was the first ESSM flight test that utilised the new Block 2 active guidance seeker-head. ESSM Block 2 will employ both semi-active and active guidance to meet current and anticipated future threats.

The test follows the successful completion of two controlled test vehicle flight tests in June 2017 and is the first in a series of live fire tests that will lead to the Block 2 missile entering production.

The NATO Seasparrow Project, established in 1968, is an international consortium of 12 nations consisting of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the US. The 12 member nations are partners in engineering, development, production and sustainment of the missiles and supporting equipment.