HMAS Arunta fires first ESSM missile

Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Arunta frigate fires its first Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) off the coast of Western Australia, demonstrating her readiness and lethality following a 20-month upgrade.

HMAS Arunta is the first of seven Anzac-class frigates to receive the upgrade under the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Programme (AMCAP). The Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) is an ongoing upgrade which focuses on updating the ageing platform systems, communications, installation of the Long Range Air Search Radar and general maintenance and is due to complete in 2023.

The RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. ESSM also has the ability to be “quad-packed” in the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, allowing up to four ESSMs to be carried in a single cell.

Check out the Naval Library to find out the specifications of the Anzac Class Frigates.