Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

SM-6 engages surface target

8th March 2016 - 16:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

Raytheon successfully conducted a flight test of its Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) in which the missile engaged a surface target - the decommissioned USS Reuben James (FFG 57) - it was announced on 7 March.

The test was undertaken as part of demonstration work for the US Navy's concept of 'distributed lethality', with ships employed in dispersed formations to increase the offensive might of the surface force and enable future options for the joint force commander.

The USS John Paul Jones fired the SM-6 and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer on station acted as the assist ship. According to Raytheon, the mission validated that the legacy Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) capability of the Standard Missile-2 family of missiles and the MK7 Aegis Weapon System (AWS) has successfully carried over to SM-6 and the latest Aegis Destroyer baseline 9.

Taylor Lawrence, president, Raytheon Missile Systems, said: ‘This test event demonstrated Raytheon's decades of continued technological development and partnership with the US Navy. The ability to leverage the SM family and the legacy AWS in newly fielded systems brings additional warfighting capability to the US fleet.'

The SM-6 provides tri-mission capability (Anti-Air Warfare, Sea-Based Terminal and ASUW) for long-range sea-based terminal defence and fleet air defence. It incorporates the guidance control and signal processing capabilities of Raytheon's advanced medium-range air-to-air missile. It uses both semi-active and active guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.