June 26, 2015: Strategy Page

In May 2015 the U.S. Navy ordered its new SM-6 (Standard Missile 6) anti-aircraft missile into full production. Over 200 have already been built or ordered for development or as initial (low quantity) production. In late 2014 there were successful several live fire tests in which SM-6 shot down aircraft, anti-ship missiles and cruise missiles under a variety of different conditions. This included the longest surface-to-air engagement (missiles shooting down target) in naval history. The distance achieved was not released, but the max range of the SM-6 is given as 240 kilometers. The new version of the Aegis fire control software was also successfully tested under realistic combat conditions.

It was only in 2013, two years after receiving the first production models, that the SM-6 successfully hit an aircraft (a BQM-74 target UAV) over the horizon. The SM-6 is basically the existing SM-2 anti-aircraft missile with the more capable guidance system of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile, as well as general improvements in the electronics and other components. The SM-6 is a 1.5 ton, 6.55 meter (21.5 foot) long, 533mm (21 inch) diameter missile. It has a max altitude of 33 kilometers (110,000 feet).

The older SM-2 is 1.35 ton, 8 meter (26.2 foot) long missile with a max range of 190 kilometers and max altitude of 24.4 kilometers (80,200 feet). The main change for the SM-6 is the guidance system which is self-contained and will seek out any target it comes within range of. The SM-2 uses a "semi-active" guidance system, which requires that a special targeting radar "light up" the target with a radar beam, which the SM-2 guidance system detects and homes in on. The "active" guidance system of the SM-6 is thus harder to jam and can home in on targets beyond the range of targeting radars. The SM-6 can attack anti-ship missiles as well.

The SM-6 took 9 years to develop and has been in limited production since 2011, with plans to obtain 1,200 missiles at a cost of $4.3 million each. SM-6 will replace many of the SM-2 missiles currently carried by American and Australian warships.

Meanwhile, the navy has been continuing years of improvements in the Aegis radar and fire control system that controls SM-2, SM-6, and the smaller SM-3 anti-missile version. The SM-3 can destroy ballistic missiles and low orbit satellites. Aegis equipped ships began getting version 4.0 of the Aegis anti-missile software in 2013 and the next major upgrade (5.0) makes the anti-missile capabilities a standard feature of Aegis software. New destroyers are having anti-missile Aegis software installed as standard equipment. Much of the anti-missile capability of the original Aegis anti-aircraft system came from upgrades to the Aegis software.

The Aegis anti-missile system has had a success rate of over 80 percent in knocking down incoming ballistic missile warheads during test firings. To achieve this, two similar models of the U.S. Navy Standard anti-aircraft missile are in service, in addition to a modified (to track incoming ballistic missiles version) version of the Aegis radar system.

The RIM-161A, also known as the Standard Missile 3 (or SM-3), has a range of over 500 kilometers and max altitude of over 160 kilometers. The Standard 3 is based on the anti-missile version of the Standard 2 (SM-2 Block IV). This SM-3 missile has a shorter range than the SM-2, which can destroy a warhead that is more than 200 kilometers up. The SM-3 is optimized for anti-missile work, while the SM-2 Block IV was designed to be used against both ballistic missiles and aircraft. The SM-2 Block IV also costs less than half of what an SM-3 costs. So going after aircraft with SM-3s is discouraged unless absolutely necessary.

1 July 2014 naval-technology.com

The US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) has successfully conducted a series of five live-fire tests for the baseline 9C Aegis Combat System.

The tests were conducted during the combat system ship's qualification trials (CSSQT) and naval-integrated fire control counter air (NIFC-CA) capability.

A total of five missiles, including four standard missile-6 (SM-6) versions and one standard missile-2 (SM-2) missile, were engaged off the coast of southern California, US.

Designated as NIFC-CA AS-02A, one of these exercises is said to have resulted in the longest surface-to-air engagement in naval history.

The first ballistic missile tracking exercise was also conducted by USS John Paul Jones during the underway period, tracking two supersonic and two subsonic missile targets simultaneously.

Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Matthew Miller said: "It is a great step forward for the surface navy and our integrated war-fighting capability."

In 2012, the ship started combat system upgrades as part of the destroyer modernisation programme, and the missile firings commenced during that period at the BAE repair facility in San Diego, US.

Upgrades installed on the guided-missile destroyer include the latest commercial off-the-shelf computing infrastructure, SPY-1D transmitter upgrades, as well as a multi-mission signal processor comprising the Aegis baseline 9C suite.

USS John Paul Jones commanding officer commander Andrew Thomson said: "From the concept development phase, through design, build, installation and test, many hard working Americans came together to field this capability. I consider myself lucky to be part of that amazing team."

The destroyer is expected to participate in the testing of newer systems in future, which will be used to defend the US and allied forces overseas.

28 November 2013 naval-technology.com

The US Navy's Raytheon-developed Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) tactical missile has achieved initial operation capability following its successful installation onboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile vessel USS Kidd (DDG 100) in San Diego, California, US.

Designed to provide extended range protection for naval vessels against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and fixed and rotary wing aircraft, the SM-6 missile entered full rate production while the programme has delivered 50 missiles ahead of schedule and under budget.

Surface Ship Weapons major programme manager captain Mike Ladner the SM-6 missile has achieved initial operational capability on schedule.

"The SM-6, with its ability to extend the battle space, truly improves shipboard air defence capability," Ladner said.

The missile is scheduled to undergo follow-on test and evaluation in 2013 and 2014 aimed to demonstrate the integrated fire control capability in an operationally realistic environment.

In May 2013, Raytheon's SM-6 had received full-rate production approval from the US Defense Acquisition Board.

Capable of offering over-the-horizon air defence capability, the missile features advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of the advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM).

Raytheon Standard Missile one, two, and six programmes senior director Mike Campisi said the company delivered the first SM-6 production round to the US Navy in February 2011.

Forming part of a major component in the US Navy's naval integrated fire control-counter air (NIFC-CA), the system uses both active and semi-active guidance modes and advanced fusing techniques to protect against several air threats.

Aug 23, 2013 ASDNews Source : Raytheon Corporation

    Test further verifies missile's role in extended range fleet defense

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."

About the Standard Missile-6

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.