NWI - Naval Warfare
Royal Australian Navy test-fires Raytheon Standard Missile-2
The Royal Australian Navy fired Raytheon Company's Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA anti-air warfare missile during recent tests on board the HMAS Melbourne.
"With this firing, Melbourne's crew validated the work done to transition warships from SM-1 capability to SM-2," said Ron Shields, Raytheon's SM-2 program director. "This was the first time an SM-2 has been launched by any navy from an upgraded frigate, clearing the way for other fleets to make similar upgrades."
As the most widely fielded variant of SM-2, Block IIIA is deployed by the US and eight allied navies. The missile is part of a long-range area air defense capability capitalizing on communication techniques, midcourse guidance, advanced signal processing and propulsion improvements. These enhancements substantially increase the intercept range to 90 nautical miles (104 statute miles) and provide high- and low-altitude intercept capability and performance against advanced anti-ship missile threats.
Three other Royal Australian Navy frigates are scheduled to be upgraded to the SM-2 configuration. The modifications, along with upgrades to the combat management systems, launchers and other systems, will improve the ships' capabilities against low-altitude and supersonic targets and provide extended area air defense protection.
"Standard Missile has been the US Navy's primary surface-to-air fleet air defense weapon for more than three decades," said Shields. "This test shows the flexibility of SM-2, and why it is the global air defense missile of choice."
Source: Raytheon
More from Naval Warfare
-
RAAF P-8A deploys to Middle East
A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft has deployed to the Middle East in support of maritime security operations, the Australian Department of Defence ...
-
NZ retires half its inshore patrol vessels
Although just ten years old, the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) retired two inshore patrol vessels (IPV) – HMNZS Pukaki (P3568) and HMNZS Rotoiti (P3569) ...
-
ESB Miguel Keith completes acceptance trials
The US Navy's newest Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB), Miguel Keith (ESB 5), has completed acceptance trials with the navy's Board of Inspection and Survey.The week ...
-
Tri-national amphibious landing exercise complete
A multi-national amphibious landing exercise has been carried out by the armed forces of the US, Philippines and Japan at Katungkulan Beach, Marine Barracks Gregorio ...
-
Underwater Collision Research Facility opens
A new Underwater Collision Research Facility (UCRF) has been established at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania, the Australian Department of Defence announced on ...
-
Combat system trials for HMAS Brisbane
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) HMAS Brisbane has commenced Aegis combat system trials in US waters, the RAN announced on 12 October. The Hobart class ...