"The
SM-3 Block IB's completion of initial operational testing last year
set the stage for a rapid deployment to theater," said Dr. Taylor
W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "The SM-3's
highly successful test performance gives combatant commanders around
the world the confidence they need to counter the growing ballistic
missile threat."
In 2009, the administration announced the U.S.'s decision to adopt a
new, more flexible approach to missile defense of both the U.S. and
Europe. The Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) Phase 1 began in March 2011
when the USS Monterey deployed carrying SM-3 Block IAs.
"The SM-3 program's evolution speaks to the importance of harnessing
past successes to deliver increasingly capable systems to our customers,
while reducing costs and delivery timelines," said Dr. Mitch Stevison,
Raytheon's Standard Missile-3 program director.
In Oct. 2013, ground broke in Romania on the first operational Aegis
Ashore site, which will be capable of launching SM-3 Block IAs, IBs
and IIAs. The site continues on track for 2015 deployment as part of
PAA Phase 2. Along with deployed Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships,
Romania's Aegis Ashore site will provide additional ballistic missile
coverage of NATO countries. The first Aegis Ashore test with the SM-3
Block IB and upgraded Aegis BMD Weapons System will take place this
year at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii. |
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.
» The program has completed 26 successful intercepts in space.
» More than 180 SM-3s have been delivered to the U.S. and Japan.
» SM-3 Block IB will be deployed ashore in 2015 in Romania.
» SM-3 Block IIA, co-developed with our Japanese partners, will
have 21 inch 2nd and 3rd stage rocket motors and a larger, more capable
kinetic warhead B |
