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Raytheon SM-6 testing displays missile's range and versatility in US Navy Tests.

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Naval Forces News - USA

Raytheon SM-6 testing displays missile's range and versatility in US Navy Tests

The U.S. Navy successfully executed four flight tests of the surface-to-air Standard Missile-6 Block I (SM-6 Blk I) off the Hawaiian coast between April 6 and 13. These tests marked the next step toward the SM-6 Blk I's achievement of Full Operational Capability. In addition, these are the first tests with the latest SM-6 Blk I software that includes air warfare, ballistic missile sea based terminal defense, and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

File picture: The Missile Defense Agency and sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability and meeting the test's primary objective.

"I'm very proud of my team for the seamless planning and execution of these flight tests, which are the culmination of disciplined systems engineering efforts. These latest flight test successes demonstrate once again the versatile capability of SM-6 Blk I," said Capt. Michael Ladner, major program manager for Surface Ship Weapons, Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS). "With these successes, we've validated that the latest SM-6 Blk I tri-mission capable software is ready to be delivered to our Sailors." The SM-6 provides an over-the-horizon engagement capability when launched from an Aegis warship and uses the latest in hardware and software missile technology to provide needed capabilities against evolving air threats. The SM-6 program has completed development and achieved Initial Operational Capability in November 2013. PEO IWS is an affiliated Program Executive Office of the Naval Sea Systems Command. IWS is responsible for spearheading surface ship and submarine combat technologies and systems, and for implementing Navy enterprise solutions across ship platforms.

File picture: Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) built by Bath Iron Works. (Picture: US Navy)

About SM-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

File picture: The Missile Defense Agency and sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability and meeting the test's primary objective.