Raytheon prepares for SM-3 against intercontinental ballistic missile test
The development of the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) will continue in the coming months with further tests on targets beyond Earth’s upper atmosphere, as the USN works to expand its ballistic missile defence (BMD) capabilities.
The SM-3 has completed more than 30 ‘exointercepts’ in trials, mainly using vessels such as the USN’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. However, a firing trial was also carried out by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Atago guided missile destroyer, which fired an SM-3 Block IB in 2018.
Japan is the only international partner in the development of the SM-3 Block IIA, and is heavily
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