U.S. Navy Fact Sheet

Standard Missile

Description
Medium-long range shipboard surface-to-air missile.

Background
Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) is the U.S Navy's primary surface-to-air air defense weapon. It is an integral part of the Aegis Weapon System (AWS) aboard Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and is launched from the MK 41 Vertical Launcher System (VLS). Its primary missions are fleet area air defense and ship self defense, but it also has demonstrated an extended area air defense projection capability. The SM-2 uses tail controls and a solid fuel rocket motor for propulsion and maneuverability. All variants are guided by inertial navigation and mid-course commands from AWS using semi-active radar or an IR sensor for terminal homing.

SM-2 Blocks III, IIIA, and IIIB are in service with the U.S. Navy; these and other variants of Standard Missile are also in service with fifteen allied navies.

SM-6 Extended Range Active Missile will provide a transformational enabler to the U.S. Navy to revolutionize Naval Warfare. Combining a modified AMRAAM active seeker onto the proven Standard Missile airframe, SM-6 will provide an extended range anti-air warfare capability both over sea and overland. This low-risk approach relying on non-developmental items will support a FY 2011 Initial Operating Capability. With integrated fire control support, SM-6 will provide the surface Navy with an increased battlespace against Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) threats over-the-horizon, taking full advantage of the kinematics available to Standard Missile.