Highlights

Date posted: 06/04/2008*

Raytheon Standard Missile-2 intercept demonstrates
near-term, sea-based terminal capability

Two Raytheon-built Standard Missile-2 Block IV missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target above the Pacific Ocean, June 5. The successful engagement demonstrated a near-term, sea-based capability for stopping threat ballistic missiles in their terminal or final phase of flight.

This was the second test of a modified SM-2 Block IV and the first to use an operational version of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense combat system that includes the terminal BMD mission capability.

Raytheon also produces Standard Missile-3 designed to defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight as well as the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, a key element of the U.S. Army’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense program.

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