“This test showcases the U.S.'s ability to defend against numerous ballistic and cruise missile threats in 'raid' scenarios. No other nation in the world has the capability to do what the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency demonstrated today,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, President of Raytheon Missile Systems.
During the test, an SM-3 Block IB destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target, while two SM-2 Block IIIAs successfully engaged two cruise missile targets.
The SM-3's kill vehicle is designed to destroy incoming short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats by colliding with them in space, a concept sometimes described as “hitting a bullet with a bullet”. The SM-2 is a fleet-area air defense weapon capable of providing extended-area air defense.
The SM-3 Block IB is deployed with the U.S. Navy, while the SM-2 is deployed by the U.S. and eight allied Navies.
SM-3s destroy incoming ballistic missile threats in space using nothing more than sheer impact, which is equivalent to a 10-ton truck traveling at 600 mph. The next-generation SM-3 Block IB incorporates an enhanced two-color infrared seeker and the Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System, a mechanism that propels the missile toward incoming targets.
- More than 200 SM-3s have been delivered to the U.S. and Japan to date.
- SM-3 Block IB will be deployed ashore in 2015 in Romania.
- SM-3 Block IIA, co-developed with Japan, will have larger rocket motors and a bigger, more capable kinetic warhead. It's on track for deployment at sea and ashore in 2018.
SM-2s are the world's premier fleet-area air defense weapons. The missiles are also capable of providing extended-area air defense.
- SM-2's international customers include: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain and Taiwan.
- SM-2 has been integrated with both Aegis and non-Aegis combat weapon systems.
- The missile can be launched from the MK-41, MK-13 and MK-26 launchers.
- SM-2 has an extensive flight test history of more than 2,500 successful flight tests
- More than 5,000 SM-2s have been delivered to the US and allied customers.
