SM-6 interceptor undergoes ‘engage on remote’ tests

The Raytheon Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptor has successfully intercepted targets in ‘engage on remote’ tests conducted as part of the US Navy’s Combat Ship System Qualification Trials.

Conducted from USS Chancellorsville, the trial saw two SM-6 interceptors tested against anti-ship and cruise missile targets. The ship launched the SM-6 interceptors prior to its own radars ‘seeing’ the incoming threats, using targeting information from another Aegis ship in the area - the USS Sampson.

Raytheon reported that the first SM-6 intercepted a low-altitude, short-range supersonic target, while the second intercepted a low-altitude, medium-range subsonic target.

Mike Campisi, Standard Missile-6 senior program director, said: ‘Advanced warning and cueing from another sensor or ship allows the US Navy to take full advantage of SM-6’s over-the-horizon capability. Now the warfighter does not have to wait until the threat is knocking at the door to take it out. Targets are destroyed much sooner and one ship can defend a much larger area.’

SM-6 is designed to provide the US Navy with extended range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. The system uses both active and semi-active guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques, and incorporates the signal processing and guidance control capabilities from the company’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

More than 130 SM-6 interceptors have been delivered to the US Navy to date.