The U.S. Navy fired two Standard Missile-6 Dual I guided missiles, developed by Raytheon Missile Systems, from the USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG-53) during a recent test event, intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea in its final seconds of flight.
The SM-6 is the new Sea-Based Terminal variant of the company’s versatile missile portfolio.
The SM-6 Dual I achieved initial operating capability in 2016, and is on track to achieve final operating capability. It was first tested in a successful flight test mission in August 2015.
(The Missile Defense Agency and the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), an Aegis 5.0 (Baseline 9.C1)-equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a medium-range ballistic missile target for the first time off the coast of Hawaii at about midnight on Dec. 14 local time. Credit: MDA and YouTube)
“This test showcased the flexibility of SM-6 by providing both anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense from sea,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. “Combined with its anti-surface warfare capabilities, the SM-6 will play a significant role in protecting U.S. and Allied forces at sea and ashore.”
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Sea-Based Terminal program will protect against ballistic threats in their terminal phase of flight by using SM-6 missiles integrated into the Aegis integrated missile guidance system.
SM-6 provides U.S. Navy vessels with extended-range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight, and an offensive capability against surface targets.
In April 2015, Raytheon delivered the first full-rate production SM-6 from its $75-million, 70,000-square-foot SM-6 and Standard Missile-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Raytheon has delivered more than 315 SM-6 missiles with continuing production.
(The U.S. Navy performs sea-based testing of the Raytheon-built Standard Missile-6 in this video. SM-6 provides fleet air defense against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles, both over sea and land. Courtesy of Raytheon and YouTube)
Standard Missile-6
The multi-mission SM-6 delivers proven over-the-horizon, air defense through the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile’s airframe and propulsion.
- SM-6 uses both active and semi-active guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.
- It incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of Raytheon’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM.
- SM-6 delivers multi-mission capability for long-range Fleet Air Defense, Sea-Based Terminal defense, and Anti-Surface Warfare.
Raytheon, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.
