firing a single SM-2 Block IIIA at an Iris target drone at long range, a single ESSM at an Iris target drone, and a two-salvo launch (with one salvo comprising two SM-2 Block IIIAs and the other comprising two ESSMs) against two incoming Iris target drones. All ESSM launches from and Sachsen-class frigates involved ESSMs quad-packed in a Mark 41 Vertical Launching System. The first "kill" by the RIM-162D from a United States Navy carrier's Mk 29 launcher was achieved during a training exercise by on 7 October 2008. On 14 May 2013, the ESSM intercepted a high-diving supersonic test target, demonstrating the ability to hit high-G maneuvering, low-velocity air threats, as well as surface targets. No software changes were needed to prove the ESSM's enhanced capability. On 30 August 2015, during the annual 'Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training' ('CARAT') exercise, the ESSM was fired from the Royal Thai Navy Naresuan-class guided-missile frigate HTMS Naresuan and achieved a direct hit on a BQM-74E drone missile launched from the USN amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown. On 9 October 2016, fired one RIM-162 ESSM and two SM-2s to defend against two incoming Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles, potentially Chinese-built C-802 missiles. It is unknown if the RIM-162 was responsible for intercepting either of the missiles, but the incident marked the first time the ESSM was used in a combat situation. In 2018, the ESSM Block 2 passed its first live fire test, successfully intercepting a BQM-74E target drone using its active guidance seeker-head. Operators Source: US Navy—Fact File: Evolved Seasparrow Missile ESSM Consortium Members: Foreign Military Sales (FMS): See also K-SAAM CAMM (missile family) HQ-16 Buk missile system VL-SRSAM List of missiles References External links Designation Systems.net: Raytheon RIM-162 ESSM Global Security.org: RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) NATO SEASPARROW Project Office NAMMO Raufoss - Nordic Ammunition Company RIM162