US Navy’s SM-6 Interceptors Engage Over-the-Horizon Targets at Sea

The U.S. Navy fired two Raytheon Company Standard Missile-6 interceptors from the USS Chancellorsville, successfully engaging two cruise missile targets (BQM-74 drones) in the missile’s first over-the-horizon test scenario at sea.

The SM-6 will provide U.S. Navy sailors and their vessels extended range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles as part of the Naval Integrated Fire Control – Counter Air (NIFC-CA) mission area.

“The SM-6’s ability to engage threats at significantly greater ranges than other missiles in its class is a game changer for the U.S. Navy,” said Jim Normoyle, Raytheon Missile Systems’ SM-6 program director. “We verified the weapon’s new processor earlier this month, and we’re preparing for the USS Chancellorsville’s Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials in November.”

In February, Raytheon delivered the first SM-6 from its new $75 million, 70,000 square-foot SM-6 and Standard Missile-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. In May, a Defense Acquisition Board approved full-rate production of the SM-6 missile.

“SM-6 combines the best of our SM-2, SM-3 and AMRAAM missiles, providing an enhanced anti-air warfare and over-the-horizon capability at a reduced cost,” said Mike Campisi, Raytheon Missile Systems’ senior director of Standard Missile-1, -2, and -6 programs. “We have delivered more than 50 missiles ahead of schedule and under cost, and we remain on track to reach initial operating capability in 2013.”

SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon air defense capability by leveraging the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile’s airframe and propulsion.

The SM-6 uses both active and semiactive guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.

It incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities from Raytheon’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

[mappress]
Press Release, August 26, 2013; Image: Raytheon