The United States Navy is spearheading an international initiative to develop a new iteration of the Evolved SeaSparrow air defense missile.

This endeavor aims to create a SeaSparrow version that can be utilized by the 12 nations comprising the NATO SeaSparrow Project Office consortium, or NSPO, as detailed in a Navy Sources Sought notice with a submission deadline of October 19.

The NSPO is in search of a weapon capable of combating a broad spectrum of threats. According to Navy specifications, the new SeaSparrow version should be effective against various threat types including those with different velocities (from low-speed to high-speed), altitudes (from sea-skimming to high-altitude diving), maneuverabilities (from non-maneuvering to high G-Force maneuvers), and signatures.

Additionally, the new missile is expected to protect naval fleets against dense volleys of missiles and remain operational even in jammed conditions.

The system should perform effectively in complex and contested environments, including those affected by Radio Frequency (RF), Electro-Optical (EO), and Infrared (IR) interferences.

Furthermore, the missile should be capable of distinguishing between closely spaced targets, and it should deliver accurate threat-track data to enhance missile guidance, navigation, and lethality capabilities. It should also be equipped to counteract enemy countermeasures efficiently.

An accompanying graphic in the notice illustrated a scenario where surface naval units, including two aircraft carriers, were under attack from multiple threats such as missiles, torpedoes, and aircraft. The depiction showed the SeaSparrow utilizing onboard sensors to intercept some threats while others were targeted with active illumination by the ships.

Illustration of naval task force defending against multiple airborne and missile threats
The new SeaSparrow must defend carrier strike groups against diverse threats including missiles, aircraft, and drones.

The NSPO is advocating for a modular, open-source design to ensure that the U.S. government retains extensive rights over technical data, software, and design specifications. This approach is intended to facilitate future system upgrades, enhance interoperability among consortium members, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

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The project requires contractors to deliver a complete missile system that includes the airframe, propulsion, guidance systems, and software. The design specifications require the missile to have a diameter not exceeding 10 inches and to be compatible with the Mark 41 vertical launch system.

The notice emphasized that all missile technology and data must be releasable to all members of the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, which includes countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S., with additional users being Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Currently, the Block II RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow, produced by Raytheon, saw its production double to more than 350 missiles in 2025 in response to heightened naval operations in the Persian Gulf. Here, Iran has launched numerous missiles and drones, leading to a significant depletion of U.S. and allied interceptors, indicating a strong future demand for these short-range air defense systems.

Defense contractor manufacturing advanced missile systems in production facility
Raytheon doubled SeaSparrow production to over 350 missiles in 2025 to meet rising demand.

First deployed in 2004, the Evolved SeaSparrow originated from the 1950s AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided air-to-air missile. Despite the original Sparrow’s mixed performance in aerial combat during the Vietnam War, the Evolved SeaSparrow was designed as a cost-effective solution against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and fast attack boats, boasting a range of approximately 30 miles.