Raytheon has been awarded a contract by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to provide SeaRAM® ship self-defense systems in support of Australia’s SEA 3000 General Purpose Frigate program. The SEA 3000 program is set to replace the decommissioning Anzac-class frigates with 11 Upgraded Mogami-class frigates.
Press release by Raytheon
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 defense layer for its future fleet.”
SeaRAM combines the Phalanx Close In Weapon System (CIWS) with the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) to provide autonomous terminal defense 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.
Work on this contract will take place in Louisville, Kentucky. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2028.
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Naval News comments:
SeaRAM, designated the Mk 15 Mod 31/32/33 in US Navy service, combines the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile with the Mk 15 mount and sensor suite previously developed for the Mk 15 Phalanx 20 mm CIWS. The US Navy operates SeaRAM on Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships and, as a retrofit replacing one Phalanx-mount, on selected Arleigh Burke-class DDG.
Unlike the deck-penetrating 21 round-Mk 49 launcher for RAM the 11-cell SeaRAM mount does not require onboard sensor- or other extensive auxiliary system-integration, presenting as a standalone “bolt on” solution simplifying installation. SeaRAM is the default close range air defence system onboard Japanese 30FFM (Mogami)- and 06FFM (“Upgraded Mogami”)-type frigates. As such Australian selection of the design for the first three RAN-06FFM acquired under SEA 3000 is in line with the default Japanese specification.
The Royal Australian Navy also seeks to introduce RIM-116 RAM across further vessels of the future surface fleet. As Naval News has previously reported, the service intends the Hunter-class frigates to include this capability. RAM would replace Phalanx in its tasking, allowing for enhanced air defence capability against a range of missiles, aircraft and drones out to a range of approximately 9 km from the defended vessel.
Australian officials have yet to clarify the procurement schedule and exact choice of configuration for RAM onboard vessels other than on “Upgraded Mogami”. Selection of the 21 round Mk-49 launcher would allow considerably increased magazine depth for air defence, freeing up VLS-cells for other tasking. The most notable downside compared to SeaRAM however is the noted greater effort and cost integrating the launcher and associated hardware. However, as Naval News understands, the Mk 49-launcher remains the preferred choice on Hunter and other prospective vessels.
