A specialized team from the U.S. Navy, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Program returned to Tooele Army Depot (TEAD), the week of Sept. 26 to complete phase three, Production Readiness Review, for the certification of the RAM Program.
TEAD was validated through this extensive review for their processes, facilities, tools and employee commitment and training for missile certification for all three phases.
In addition, the First Article Test (FAT) for a complete tactical round will be completed by TEAD in the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Three complete certified rounds will then be sent to Raytheon for the FAT bench testing and one missile will be fired at a Navy test range to complete the prove-out process.
"The Ammunition Operations team has been working on variouis components of the RAM missile for the past eight years, which has led us to where we are today. Through continuous training and diligent work from the employees, we are finally at the point where we need to be in supporting the Navy with an organic base for missile recertification," said Paul West, Ammunition Operations, Lead Production Controller, Tooele Army Depot.
If missiles, currently stored at TEAD, pass certification testing, a designation memorandum from the Navy RAM PM Office will be submitted to TEAD for RAM certification. Fiscal 2012 plan is to disassemble approximately 270 missiles and complete certification for 18 additional missiles.
The partnership between TEAD and RAM began in 2003 when TEAD was selected to provide long term storage for RAM Guided Missile Rounds Pack (GMRPs) while they awaited scheduled maintenance to recertify them for redeployment to the U.S. Navy. Following initial visits and discussions with TEAD personnel on capabilities that TEAD could provide, the RAM Technical Project Office under the direction of the RAM Program Office within the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office for Integrated Weapon Systems (PEOIWS), initiated several tasks with TEAD.
The Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the American, German, South Korean, Greek, Turkish, Saudi and Egyptian navies. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship cruise missiles. The missile is so-named because it rolls around its longitudinal axis to stabilize its flight path, much like a bullet fired from a rifled barrel. It is the only U.S. Navy Missile to operate in this manner.
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