Raytheon's SM-6 enters full-rate production
Raytheon's Standard Missile-6 surface-to-air supersonic missile programme has moved from low-rate to full-rate production, the company has announced, with the first full-rate production round delivered to the US Navy from Raytheon's SM-6 and SM-3 all-up-round production facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
The move to full-rate production will clear the way for significantly increased production numbers and a focus on further cost-reduction opportunities, the company said.
The SM-6 can engage unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. It can also defend against land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles in flight.
The company has delivered more than 180 missiles to the navy, which deployed SM-6 for the first time in December 2013.
Mike Campisi, SM-6 senior programme director, Raytheon, said: 'SM-6 is proven against a broad range of advanced threats, which makes it very valuable to combatant commanders who need and want that flexibility.
'Full-rate production allows us to significantly ramp up production and deliver to the US navy the quantities it needs to further increase operational effectiveness.'
More from Naval Warfare
-
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.