"This
test showcases the U.S.'s ability to defend against numerous ballistic
and cruise missile threats in 'raid' scenarios," said Dr. Taylor
W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "No other nation
in the world has the capability to do what the U.S. Navy and Missile
Defense Agency demonstrated today."
During the test, an SM-3 Block IB destroyed a short-range ballistic
missile target, while two SM-2 Block IIIAs successfully engaged two
cruise missile targets.
The SM-3's kill vehicle is designed to destroy incoming short-, medium-,
and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats by colliding with them
in space, a concept sometimes described as "hitting a bullet with
a bullet." The SM-2 is a fleet-area air defense weapon capable
of providing extended-area air defense.
The SM-3 Block IB is deployed with the U.S. Navy, while the SM-2 is
deployed by the U.S. and eight allied navies. |
About
the Standard Missile-3
The SM-3 does not contain an explosive warhead, but instead destroys
the threats using sheer impact, equivalent to a 10-ton truck traveling
at 600 mph.
» More than 200 SM-3s have been delivered ahead of schedule and
under cost.
» Raytheon is on track to deliver the next-generation SM-3 Block
IB in 2015.
» SM-3 Block IIA, co-developed with Japan, will have larger rocket
motors and a bigger, more capable kinetic warhead. It's on track for
deployment at sea and ashore in 2018.
About the Standard Missile-2
SM-2s are the world's premier fleet-area air defense weapons. The missiles
are also capable of providing extended-area air defense.
» SM-2's international customers include: Australia, Canada, Germany,
Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain and Taiwan.
» SM-2 has been integrated with both Aegis and non-Aegis combat
weapon systems.
» The missile can be launched from the MK-41, MK-13 and MK-26
launchers.
» SM-2 has an extensive flight test history of more than 2,500
successful flight tests
» More than 5,000 SM-2s have been delivered to the US and allied
customers. |