The RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM), or Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), is a missile in current production for the United States Navy (USN). It was designed for extended-range anti-air warfare (ER-AAW) purposes, providing capability against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship cruise missiles in flight, both over sea and land, and terminal ballistic missile defense. It can also be used as a high-speed anti-ship missile.[12] The missile uses the airframe of the earlier SM-2ER Block IV (RIM-156A) missile,[13] adding the active radar homing seeker from the AIM-120C AMRAAM in place of the semi‑active seeker of the previous design. This will improve the capability of the Standard missile against highly agile targets and targets beyond the effective range of the launching vessels' target illumination radars. Initial operating capability was planned for 2013 and was achieved on 27 November 2013.[14] The SM-6 is not meant to replace the SM-2 series of missiles but will serve alongside and provide extended range and increased firepower.[15] It was approved for export in January 2017.[16] An air-to-air variant of the SM-6, known as the AIM-174, is the first dedicated long-range air-to-air missile employed by the USN since the 2004 retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix.[17] SM-6 can also be fired from the U.S. Army'sTyphon missile launcher as part of the Strategic Mid-range Fires System (SMRF).[18]
The SM-6 offers extended range over previous SM-2 series missiles, primarily being able to intercept very high altitude or sea-skimminganti-ship missiles, and is also capable of performing terminal phase ballistic missile defense. The SM-6 can also function as a high-speed anti-ship missile. It can discriminate targets using its dual-mode seeker, with the semi‑active seeker relying on a ship-based illuminator to highlight the target and the active seeker having the missile itself send out an electromagnetic signal; the active seeker has the ability to detect a land-based cruise missile amid ground features, even from behind a mountain. The multi-mission SM-6 is engineered with the aerodynamics of an SM-2, the propulsion booster stack of the SM-3, and the front-end configuration of the AIM-120 AMRAAM.[19] Estimates of the SM-6's range vary; its official published range is 130nmi (150mi; 240km),[8] but it could be anywhere from 200nmi (230mi; 370km)[20] to as much as 250nmi (290mi; 460km).[21][22]
The U.S. Navy is adding GPS guidance to the SM-6 Block IA so that it has the capability to strike surface targets if needed. However, given its higher cost than other land attack weapons like the Tomahawk cruise missile, it would not likely be used as a primary option.[23][24] In February 2016, Secretary of DefenseAshton Carter confirmed that the SM-6 would be modified to act as an anti-ship weapon.[25]
The SM-6 Block IB is currently in final stage development, with production expected to begin in late fiscal year 2024. The variant is to improve on the existing capabilities of the SM-6 series by incorporating a larger 53 cm (21-inch) diameter motor for greater range and speed. The Block IB variant is intended to achieve hypersonic speeds, making it highly effective against both aerial and surface targets.[26]
The second increment of the SM-6 Sea Based Terminal is a modification to Raytheon’s missile quickly fielded to provide defense against hypersonic weapons in their terminal flight phase. It will serve as a interim solution until the Glide Phase Interceptor becomes available.[27]
History
Raytheon entered a contract in 2004 to develop the missile for the United States Navy after the cancellation of the Standard Missile 2 extended range block IVA (RIM-156B). Development started in 2005, followed by testing in 2007. The missile was officially designated RIM-174A in February 2008. Initial low rate production was authorized in 2009.[28] Raytheon received a $93 million contract to begin production of the RIM-174A in September 2009.[29] The first low-rate production missile was delivered in March 2011.[30] SM-6 was approved for full-rate production in May 2013.[31] On 27 November 2013, the Standard ERAM achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) when it was fielded on board USSKidd.[14]
During exercises from 18–20 June 2014, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyerUSSJohn Paul Jones fired four SM-6s. One part of the exercise, designated NIFC-CA AS-02A, resulted in the then-longest surface-to-air engagement in naval history;[32] the exact range of the intercept was not publicly released.[33] On 14 August 2014, an SM-6 was test fired against a subsonic, low-altitude cruise missile target and successfully intercepted it over land. A key element of the test was to assess its ability to discern a slow-moving target among ground clutter.[19] On 24 October 2014, Raytheon announced that two SM-6s intercepted anti-ship and cruise missile targets during "engage on remote" scenarios. A low-altitude, short-range supersonic GQM-163A and a low-altitude, medium-range subsonic BQM-74E were shot down by SM-6s fired from a guided-missile cruiser using targeting information provided by a guided-missile destroyer. Advanced warning and cueing from other ships allows the missile's over-the-horizon capability to be used to a greater extent, allowing a single ship to defend a much larger area.[34] In May 2015, the SM-6 was moved from low-rate to full-rate production, significantly increasing production numbers and further reducing unit cost.[35]
On 28 July 2015, the Navy tested the modified SM-6 Dual I version to successfully intercept a ballistic missile target in the terminal phase, the last few seconds before it would impact; the Dual I upgrade adds a more powerful processor that runs more sophisticated targeting software to hit a warhead descending from the upper atmosphere at extreme speed. This adds to the fleet's missile defense capabilities by allowing it to intercept ballistic missiles that could not be hit by SM-3 missiles, which target missiles in the midcourse phase. The Navy had used the SM-2 Block IV as a terminal ballistic interceptor, but the SM-6 combines missile defense with traditional cruise missile and aircraft interdiction in the same package. The SM-6 Dual I configuration is planned to enter service in 2016.[6][36][37]
In January 2016, the SM-6 demonstrated both maximum down range and maximum cross-range intercepts in over-the-horizon, engage-on-remote missions supported by CEC, breaking the previous maximum engagement record it set in June 2014. Five targets were shot down in the test, proving the missile's capability to conduct multiple target scenarios.[5][38] The SM-6 also sunk the decommissioned USSReuben James in an 18 January 2016 demonstration, displaying its anti-ship capabilities.[39] On 30 September 2016, Raytheon announced that the SM-6 had again achieved the longest surface-to-air intercept in naval history, breaking its previous long-range intercept record made in January 2016.[40] On 14 December 2016, the Missile Defense Agency successfully launched two SM-6 Dual I missiles at a "complex, medium-range ballistic missile target", proving that its explosive—rather than hit-to-kill—warhead was capable of defeating medium-range ballistic missile threats;[41] this ability may enable it to counter Chinese DF-21D and DF-26Banti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) threats.[42]
In August 2017, the Missile Defense Agency conducted another successful intercept test of a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).[43] Two SM-6 Dual I missiles were launched from USS John Paul Jones to intercept a target MRBM launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility during the terminal phase of its flight.[44] The test marked the third successful intercept of a ballistic missile by the SM-6.[43]
On 17 January 2018, the U.S. Navy approved plans to develop the SM-6 Block IB, which features a larger 21in (53cm) diameter rocket motor instead of the current 13.5in (34cm) motor. The new variant will significantly increase the missile's range and speed, enabling a hypersonic and extended-range anti-surface warfare capability.[45][46]
In November 2020, the U.S. Army selected the SM-6 to fulfill its Mid-Range Capability (MRC)[47] giving it a land-based long-range missile capable of striking ground targets. MRC was renamed the Strategic Mid-Range Fires in 2023. The Army plans to use the SM-6 alongside a ground-based Tomahawk cruise missile and field them by late 2023.[22]
In April 2021, USS John Finn used an SM-6 to strike a simulated naval target 250 miles away.[48] In the same month, a Super Hornet was photographed carrying what appeared to be an SM-6 while in flight.[49]
On 27 May 2021, the Russian Navy ship Kareliya (SSV-535), a Vishnya-class auxiliary general intelligence (AGI) ship operating near Pacific Missile Range Facility, caused the delay of the Flight Test Aegis Weapon System.[50][51] On 29 May 2021, Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1, a salvo of two SM-6 Dual II missiles failed to intercept two medium-range ballistic missiles; only one MRBM was intercepted.[52][53][54]
On 30 March 2023, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency along with the U.S. Navy, successfully intercepted ballistic missile in its terminal phase with a quick salvo of two SM-6 Dual II missiles. This marked the third successful test of an Aegis BMD vessel using the SM-6 Dual II missile and the first intercept of a MRBM target using the SM-6 Dual II SWUP (Software Upgrade) missile.[55][56]
On 19 March 2024, the U.S Missile Defense Agency, working with the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin, successfully conducted an intercept of an advanced MRBM test target using the SM-6 Dual II Software Upgrade (SWUP).[57] Notably, the test was performed in conjunction with the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), the first Flight III Aegis Destroyer with SPY-6 radar. Australian Sensors helped play a role in data collection and communications, including the use of an E-7 Wedgetail aircraft and the ANZAC classHMAS Stuart. This was the fourth flight test of an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense-configured vessel using the SM-6 Dual II missile and the second intercept of an MRBM target using the SM-6 Dual II SWUP missile.[57]
In June 2024, the AIM-174B appeared on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft at the biennial RIMPAC exercise.[58][59]
In July 2024, the U.S. Navy announced it had operationally deployed an air-launched variant of the RIM-174, designated AIM-174B Standard Missile 6 Air Launched Configuration.[60]
Combat
On 26 December 2023, the USS Laboon shot down three ASBMs in the Red Sea fired by Houthi rebels with multiple SM-6s. This was its first intercept of a ballistic missile in combat.[61]
On 30 January 2024, the USS Carney shot down an ASBM in the Gulf of Aden fired by Houthi rebels with an SM-6. This was the first combat interception of a ballistic missile by the SM-6 publicly acknowledged by the DoD.[62]
An anti-ballistic missile (ABM) is a surface-to-air missile designed to counter ballistic missiles. Ballistic missiles are used to deliver nuclear, chemical, biological, or conventional warheads in a ballistic flight trajectory. The term "anti-ballistic missile" is a generic term for a system designed to intercept and destroy any type of ballistic threat; however, it is commonly used for systems specifically designed to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
The Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) is a United States Navy class of destroyer centered around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function passive electronically scanned array radar. The class is named for Admiral Arleigh Burke, an American destroyer officer in World War II and later Chief of Naval Operations. With an overall length of 505 to 509.5 feet, displacement ranging from 8,300 to 9,700 tons, and weaponry including over 90 missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are larger and more heavily armed than many previous classes of guided-missile cruisers.
The Aegis Combat System is an American integrated naval weapons system, which uses computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. It was developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and it is now produced by Lockheed Martin.
The Aegis ballistic missile defense system, also known as Sea-Based Midcourse, is a Missile Defense Agency program under the United States Department of Defense developed to provide missile defense against short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The program is part of the United States national missile defense strategy and European NATO missile defense system.
National missile defense (NMD) refers to the nationwide antimissile program the United States has had under development since the 1990s. After the renaming in 2002, the term now refers to the entire program, not just the ground-based interceptors and associated facilities.
The Aster 15 and Aster 30 are a Franco-Italian family of all-weather, vertical launch surface-to-air missiles. The name "Aster" stands for "Aérospatiale Terminale", with French company Aérospatiale having been the project's lead contractor before its missile activities were merged into MBDA. It also takes inspiration from the word "aster", meaning "star" in Ancient Greek. The missiles as well as the related weapon systems are manufactured by Eurosam, a consortium consisting of MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, each holding a 33.3% share.
USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) is the third Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy and the first ship of the class homeported on the west coast. She is the fifth ship named after American Revolutionary War naval captain John Paul Jones and the second to carry his first name. She was built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship is part of Destroyer Squadron 9 of Carrier Strike Group 11, which is headed by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68).
USS Carney (DDG-64) is the 14th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. The guided-missile destroyer is the first to be named after Admiral Robert Carney, who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower administration.
The Zumwalt-class destroyer is a class of three United States Navy guided-missile destroyers designed as multi-mission stealth ships with a focus on land attack. The class was designed with a primary role of naval gunfire support and secondary roles of surface warfare and anti-aircraft warfare. The class design emerged from the DD-21 "land attack destroyer" program as "DD(X)" and was intended to take the role of battleships in meeting a congressional mandate for naval fire support. The ship is designed around its two Advanced Gun Systems (AGS), turrets with 920 round magazines, and unique Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) ammunition. LRLAP procurement was canceled, rendering the guns unusable, so the Navy re-purposed the ships for surface warfare. Starting in 2023, the Navy will remove the AGS from the ships and replace them with hypersonic missiles.
The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, South Korean, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Mexican, UAE, and United States navies. It was originally intended and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship missiles. As its name indicates, RAM rolls as it flies. The missile must roll during flight because the RF tracking system uses a two-antenna interferometer that can measure phase interference of the electromagnetic wave in one plane only. The rolling interferometer permits the antennas to look at all planes of incoming energy. In addition, because the missile rolls, only one pair of steering canards is required. As of 2005, it is the only U.S. Navy missile to operate in this manner.
The RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) is a development of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles. ESSM also has the ability to be "quad-packed" in the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, allowing up to four ESSMs to be carried in a single cell.
The four De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates are air-defence and command frigates in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy. This class of ships is also known as "LCF". The ships are similar to the German Sachsen-class frigates in role and mission.
The Dongfeng 21 (DF-21; NATO reporting name CSS-5 - Dong-Feng is a two-stage, solid-fuel, single-warhead medium-range ballistic missile developed by China's Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy. A part of the Dongfeng missile family, the DF-21's development started in the late 1960s, and it was completed around 1985–86, but not deployed until 1991. It was developed from the JL-1 submarine-launched missile, and is China's first solid-fuel land-based missile. The U.S. Department of Defense in 2008 estimated that China had 60-80 missiles and 60 launchers; approximately 10-11 missiles can be built annually.
The RIM-66 Standard MR (SM-1MR/SM-2MR) is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM), with a secondary role as an anti-ship missile, developed for the United States Navy (USN). A member of the Standard Missile family of weapons, the SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships. The RIM-67 Standard (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is an extended range version of this missile with a solid rocket booster stage.
The RIM-67 Standard ER (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is an extended range surface-to-air missile (SAM) with a secondary anti-ship capability, originally developed for the United States Navy (USN). The RIM-67 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-8 Talos, a 1950s system deployed on a variety of USN ships, and eventually replaced the RIM-2 Terrier as well, since it was of a similar size and fitted existing Terrier launchers and magazines. The RIM-66 Standard MR was essentially the same missile without the booster stage, designed to replace the RIM-24 Tartar. The RIM-66/67 series thus became the US Navy's universal SAM system, hence the designation "Standard Missile".
The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a ship-based surface-to-air missile used by the United States Navy to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles as a part of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. Although primarily designed as an anti-ballistic missile, the SM-3 has also been employed in an anti-satellite capacity against a satellite at the lower end of low Earth orbit. The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
An anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) is a military ballistic missile system designed to hit a warship at sea.
Missile defense systems are a type of missile defense intended to shield a country against incoming missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or other ballistic missiles. The United States, Russia, India, France, Israel, Italy, United Kingdom, China and Iran have all developed missile defense systems.
This is a table of the most widespread or notable anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems, intended in whole or part, to counter ballistic missiles. Since many systems have developed in stages or have many iterations or upgrades, only the most notable versions are described. Such systems are typically highly integrated with radar and guidance systems, so the emphasis is chiefly on system capability rather than the specific missile employed. For example, David's Sling is a system that employs the Stunner missile.
↑ Cenciotti, David (3 July 2024). "First Images Emerge Of U.S. Navy Super Hornet Carrying Two Air-Launched SM-6 Missiles". The Aviationist. Retrieved 7 July 2024. In essence, this new missile fills the gap left by the retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix. The AIM-54 was a long-range air-to-air missile used by the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat and retired in 2004 alongside the F-14. Known for its impressive range of over 100 nautical miles and multiple-target engagement capability, the AIM-54 left a significant void in long-range engagement capabilities.
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