SM-6 engages surface target
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.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Navantia combat systems selected for Chinese-built Thai LPD]()
Navantia combat systems selected for Chinese-built Thai LPD
The landing platform dock, believed to be the largest naval vessel that China has exported, will see the Chinese-built vessel embrace Western technology.
-
![GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns]()
GAO recommends better oversight of support for shipyards in the face of capacity concerns
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) believes the US industrial base will struggle to meet US Navy (USN) requirements. This follows recent warnings from USN heads of a decline in resources and that the industrial base is under strain.
-
![Lockheed Martin wins three new DoD naval contracts including on Littoral Combat Ships]()
Lockheed Martin wins three new DoD naval contracts including on Littoral Combat Ships
Lockheed Martin has won contracts and contract modifications on systems and platforms ranging from missile systems and naval helicopters to Littoral Combat Ships.
