As part of various equipment supply contracts aimed at naval platform defense systems, Raytheon has completed the delivery of the 250th MK49 missile launcher, which is set to be integrated into the USS Pittsburgh, one of the new LPD Flight II amphibious assault ships being incorporated by the United States Navy. This milestone is part of the ongoing progress of the RAM program, which next year will mark five decades of cooperation between the United States and Germany.
Deployed on more than 165 naval vessels from countries such as Egypt, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, the MK49 launcher has established itself as one of the most advanced naval self-defense systems. The RAM program is designed to protect a wide range of assets—from 220-foot corvettes to 1,100-foot nuclear-powered aircraft carriers—against next-generation anti-ship missiles.
The RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) program originated in the late 1970s as a joint project between the United States and West Germany to counter the growing threat posed by Soviet missiles. Today, Raytheon and its German industrial partners continue to invest in modernizing the system, increasing production capacity to meet global demand and optimizing both the RAM effector and the launcher system. Recent upgrades include the expansion of Raytheon’s GMLS facilities, which have doubled their output, along with enhancements to weapon systems and their integration into new platforms.
Following the delivery of the 250th launcher, the president of Raytheon’s Naval Power division stated: “The RAM system has been a cornerstone of naval defense for decades, and this milestone reinforces its key role in protecting U.S. and allied forces.” She added, “We continue to modernize and expand its deployment to ensure it remains an essential asset against emerging threats, safeguarding our sailors and ships.”
Lastly, regarding the USS Pittsburgh, it is the 14th amphibious assault ship of the new San Antonio-class. Notably, it is also one of the units belonging to the new Flight II variant, whose construction began in 2022 at the shipyards operated by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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