The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hobart-class guided missile destroyer (DDG) HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful evolved sea sparrow missile (ESSM) firing. Conducted off the coast of Southern Californian Exercise Area, the first-time firing was carried out as part of its combat systems sea qualification trials. The missile launch was announced on Twitter by Australian Fleet commander rear admiral Mark Hammond.
He tweeted: “The firing is the first of many used to assess the combat capability of Australia’s newest DDG.”
ESSM is a Raytheon-built surface-to-air weapon designed for launch from surface warships to counter high-speed anti-ship missiles and other threats.
In January, the Australian Government announced new investments to upgrade the RAN’s platforms with long-range anti-ship and extended range surface-to-air missiles, and other capabilities....MORE
