US Navy successfully intercepts a ballistic missile in space
The De Zeven Provinciën (equipped with the SMART-L MM/N radar) pictured with USS Paul Ignatius. (Photo: Thales)
US Navy intercepts a ballistic missile in space using data from the Thales SMART-L MM/N radar.
USN Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Paul Ignatius used data from the Thales SMART-L MM/N long-range naval surveillance radar to conduct a Launch on Remote test of a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3).
The data was used to guide the SM-3 and intercept a non-separating ballistic missile, which was outside Earth’s atmosphere.
The test took place during the At Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2021 (ASD/FS21) exercise, which ends on 3 June.
The SMART-L MM/N radar was installed on the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën.
Without being cued, it autonomously detected and tracked the ballistic missile for more than five minutes as it reached speeds of 3km/s and an altitude of more than 300km.
ASD/FS21 involves ten countries, 15 ships and a variety of aircraft and land-based assets.
Other scenarios that tested the SMART-L MM/N were the engagement against a supersonic sea-skimming cruise missile and an integrated air and missile defence scenario, in which adversary aircraft were tracked at the same time as a ballistic missile threat.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, SMART-L is a 3D system transmitting in the D band and capable of detecting targets at a range of up to 400km.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?]()
What does Saab’s operations shake-up mean for its new ‘Naval’ chapter?
Saab’s merger of its Kockums and Naval Combat Systems divisions into a single business area called Naval, effective 1 April 2026, aims to enhance efficiency, innovation and competitive positioning in the naval sector.
-
![Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions]()
Iran and the future of amphibious operations: crewed and uncrewed solutions
Amphibious operations are a very unique type of military operation, and global defence industries are developing new solutions to enhance capabilities and efficiency.
-
![US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026]()
US Navy to acquire and test uncrewed surface vessel prototypes by the end of FY2026
The new autonomous surface vessels are planned to be operationally fielded in FY2027, following the completion of on-water trials.
-
![Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals]()
Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals
CPSP competitors are proposing platforms fitted with advanced, next-generation capabilities to be built and sustained in cooperation with the Canadian industry.
