The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) has fired an Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 from the frigate KNM Otto Sverdrup. According to the agency, the missile performed as expected.
The firing campaign took place off Andøya. It included both simulated and live firings against drones. The aim was to test new software in the Aegis combat system. It also had to confirm that new functions and communication with the missile worked correctly. Data from the missile and the combat system has been sent to the United States for analysis.
ESSM Block 2 is a further development of ESSM Block 1. FMA project P6192 ran the test together with the US Navy, Andøya Space Defence, Lockheed Martin, the Norwegian Maritime Operations Centre and the Navy's logistics command.
– This has been a very good international collaboration, and a professional effort by both the crew of KNM Otto Sverdrup and the test management at Range Control, said project manager Tor Harald Monsen.
FMA and the Royal Norwegian Navy will now plan the final installation and approval of the ESSM Block 2 capability.