US Navy expands SM-6 missile deployment
The US Navy has authorised ships in the Aegis Combat Weapon System baselines 5.3 and 3.A.0 series to carry the Raytheon Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), the company announced on 14 January. The authorisation has expanded the missile's use from five ships to over 35 ships.
Mike Campisi, senior programme director, SM-6, said: ‘SM-6 is the longest range integrated air and missile defence interceptor deployed, and its multi-role capabilities are unprecedented. Its use is transforming how we define fleet defence.’
SM-6 is a surface-to-air supersonic missile capable of successfully engaging manned and unmanned aerial vehicles and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Further, it defends against land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles in flight.
Final assembly takes place at Raytheon's SM-6 and SM-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
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