New missiles will defend U.S. Navy ships

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The SM-6 will provide U.S. Navy sailors and their vessels extended range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles as part of the Naval Integrated Fire Control – Counter Air (NIFC-CA) mission area.

The U.S. Navy fired two Raytheon Company Standard Missile-6 interceptors from the USS Chancellorsville, successfully engaging two cruise missile targets (BQM-74 drones) in the missile’s first over-the-horizon test scenario at sea.

“The SM-6’s ability to engage threats at significantly greater ranges than other missiles in its class is a game changer for the U.S. Navy,” said Jim Normoyle, Raytheon Missile Systems’ SM-6 program director. “We verified the weapon’s new processor earlier this month, and we’re preparing for the USS Chancellorsville’s Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials in November.”

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

In February, Raytheon delivered the first SM-6 from its new $75 million, 70,000 square-foot SM-6 and Standard Missile-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. In May, a Defense Acquisition Board approved full-rate production of the SM-6 missile.

“SM-6 combines the best of our SM-2, SM-3 and AMRAAM missiles, providing an enhanced anti-air warfare and over-the-horizon capability at a reduced cost,” said Mike Campisi, Raytheon Missile Systems’ senior director of Standard Missile-1, -2, and -6 programs. “We have delivered more than 50 missiles ahead of schedule and under cost, and we remain on track to reach initial operating capability in 2013.”