Following selection by BAE Systems Australia, Australian Aerospace Composites (AAC) will manufacture dorsal fins for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM).  The ESSM (an improved version of the RIM-7 missile) is a short-range, self-defence weapon for surface ships.

The establishment of the AAC facility in 2008 was part of an upsurge in aerospace activity in Queensland, with the assembly and supply of ARH Tiger and MRH-90 helicopters to the Australian Defence Force by Australian Aerospace. Since then the AAC factory has undertaken manufacture of components for both civil and military helicopters produced by Eurocopter. AAC is also participating in the CRC-ACS program as an affiliate of EADS Australia Pacific Pty Ltd. 

The dorsal fins will be manufactured at the AAC facility at Eagle Farm, Brisbane.  Production is expected to continue to 2018 for the current model.  A forthcoming Block II ESSM may also require dorsal fin redesign effort by the two companies. AAC will join a number of other Australian industries involved in the ESSM program including Mackay Consolidated Industries, Calm Aluminium, Endeavour Aerospace, Saab Systems, and CEA Technologies. 

BAE Systems Australia, the design authority for elements including the dorsal fins, aerodynamic control fins and thrust vector controllers, is the principal Australian partner for the Raytheon Missile Systems led ESSM program. Australian involvement in the multi-nation ESSM program commenced in 1995 and has achieved over 300 million dollars in export sales. ESSM serves on over 200 NATO and Australian warships.