RTX’s SM-6 intercepts ballistic missile target at sea
Test of enhanced software succeeds against sophisticated medium-range ballistic missile
PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, Hawaii, March 29. A Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) built by Raytheon, an RTX business, intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea in its final seconds of flight, after being fired from the USS Preble (DDG 88). This test verified some of the missile’s enhanced capabilities when launched from a Baseline 9.C2 variant of the Aegis Combat System.
The SM-6 missile can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and advanced ballistic missile defense at sea. This latest flight test, designated as Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM)-32, involved the SM-6 Dual II (Block IA) configuration with newly qualified software that significantly enhances the missile’s capabilities for the US Navy fleet.
“This test demonstrated that the latest versions of the SM-6 and combat system provide the critical capability to destroy an incoming sophisticated missile threat,” said Kim Ernzen, President of Raytheon Naval Power. “Raytheon is committed to ensuring our technology stays ahead of evolving threats and is available to sailors as quickly as possible.”
FTM-32 was the seventh flight test of the SM-6 against ballistic missile targets and the fourth test utilizing the Dual II (Block IA) configuration.
Deployed on US Navy ships, SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon offensive and defensive capability by leveraging the time-tested Standard Missile airframe and propulsion system. It’s the only missile that supports anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense in one solution, and it’s enabling the US and its allies to cost-effectively increase the offensive might of surface forces.
The US Department of Defense has approved the sale of SM-6 to several allied nations.
