Raytheon to build more SM-6 Block IA missiles for US Navy under $333 million contract
The contract for SM-6 missiles is expected to be completed by 2027. (Photo: Raytheon)
The Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) is a surface-to-air supersonic missile in service with the US Navy (USN), launched from cruisers and destroyers, capable of engaging crewed and uncrewed aircraft and land-attack or anti-ship cruise missiles in flight.
The USN has placed a $333 million contract with Raytheon, an RTX company, for SM-6 Block IA missiles, also designated as the RIM-174 Standard extended range active missile.
Deployed on USN ships, SM-6 is designed to provide over-the-horizon offensive and defensive capability by using the time-tested Standard Missile airframe and propulsion system.
It supports anti-air and anti-surface warfare and sea-based terminal ballistic missile defence operations in one solution.
Related Articles
Raytheon to provide more SM-2 and SM-6 support
US approves SM-6 and SM-2 IIC related sale to Australia
Raytheon’s SM-6 demonstrated with US Army missile defence and C2 systems
SM-6 has been successfully fired from various USN ships, uncrewed vessels and launchers on land.
In March 2024, SM-6 demonstrated its anti-missile capabilities by successfully intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea during the Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM)-32 exercise.
In last year’s Valiant Shield 2024, Raytheon demonstrated SM-6 in a complex missile engagement integrated with US Army's Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) and Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS).
Using SM-6 engagement control software interfaced with Northrop Grumman’s IBCS and track data from Raytheon’s LTAMDS simulator. According to Raytheon, the test demonstrated the successful integration of these existing, respective army and navy programme capabilities.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NATO seeks suppliers for a new, improved variant of the Sea Sparrow missile]()
NATO seeks suppliers for a new, improved variant of the Sea Sparrow missile
The NATO Sparrow Project Office has outlined its interest in exploring cutting-edge technologies to be integrated into the ESSM Next Significant Variant.
-
![Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion]()
Taiwan entrusts USVs with task of deterring a PLA amphibious invasion
Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s Black Sea experience, Taiwan is investing heavily in unmanned surface vessels to strengthen its asymmetric defence strategy against potential PLA amphibious assaults.
-
![US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities]()
US Coast Guard sets sail in search of robotics and CUAS capabilities
The USCG has been increasing efforts to accelerate the process to develop, procure, deploy and sustain autonomous and counter-uncrewed systems across its fleet.
-
![Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win]()
Managing risk in a changing world: how the Royal Navy can win
A fighting force such as the Royal Navy must inevitably focus on its core capabilities, platforms and readiness. But to avoid unexpected outcomes and costly oversights, a complex organisation like this needs to be underpinned by sound enterprise-level risk management principles and systems.
