Raytheon Standard Missile-3 achieves ninth hit-to-kill intercept in space

A Raytheon-produced Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) successfully engaged a ballistic missile target outside the earth’s atmosphere during a flight test over the Pacific Ocean, June 22.

Launched from the USS Decatur (DDG 73), the SM-3 Block IA destroyed a medium-range ballistic missile target that had been fired from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii. It was the ninth successful intercept for SM-3 and the third intercept of a medium-range target with a separating re-entry warhead.

“This successful flight test again demonstrates the tactical, operational capability of SM-3 and the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Weapon System in real-world conditions,” said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon’s vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. “We are proud of SM-3’s impressive record of successful intercepts.”

The SM-3 Block IA provides increased capability to engage short-to-intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The missile incorporates rocket motor upgrades and computer program modifications to improve sensor performance, missile guidance and control, as well as lower cost. SM-3 Block IA includes production and mission support features required to qualify the missile as a tactical fleet asset.

“The program has truly transitioned to a manufacturing mindset. We have delivered more than 23 operational SM-3 rounds to our customers. We are ramping up our facilities and suppliers to accelerate deliveries of this urgently needed capability to the fleet,” said Wyatt.

Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., is developing SM-3 and leads the integrated team effort, which includes Alliant Techsystems, Aerojet and The Boeing Company. The kinetic warhead seeker and final integration occur in Raytheon's state-of-the-art kill vehicle space manufacturing facility in Tucson, alongside the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, an element of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program. Final assembly and testing of SM-3 occurs at Raytheon's Camden, Ark., facility.

*The content on this page is classified as historical content. See this important information regarding such content.