RIM-7 Sea Sparrow

The Sea Sparrow naval surface-to-air missile (SAM) system was originally developed in the late 1960s as an interim Basic Point Defense Missile System (BPDMS) against Soviet anti-ship missiles. Later versions include the Improved BPDMS and the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System (NSSMS). All use modified Sparrow III air-to-air missiles (AAM) in an eight-cell launcher that can be fitted in a variety of ships.

The Mk 48 Sea Sparrow vertical launch system (VLS) was first tested on the...