What type of threats does the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile aim to destroy?

The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is primarily designed to target and intercept anti-ship cruise missiles. This missile system plays a crucial role in modern naval defense by providing a response mechanism against fast-moving threats that pose a risk to surface vessels at sea. The RAM employs a combination of passive infrared homing guidance and high-speed capabilities to effectively engage these types of missiles, ensuring the protection of naval assets from aerial threats.

While the RAM also has some capacity against other threats, its primary focus remains on defending ships from incoming anti-ship cruise missiles, which are a prevalent threat in naval warfare. Other threats like submerged submarines, surface ships, and air-to-ground missiles fall outside the primary operational scope of the RAM system.