US Navy Receives Short-Range Ballistic Missile Interceptor

TOPICS & FEATURES
	Armored vehicles
	C4ISR & Net Centric
	Combat Aircraft
	Fire Support
	Future Combat Systems
	Homeland Security
	Infantry Warfare
	Logistics & Support
	Naval Systems
	Precision Strike
	Protection & Survivability
	Special Operations CT
	Training & Simulation
	Unmanned Systems
	Defense Exhibitions

Related Links:

Raytheon has delivered to the US Navy a Standard Missile 2 Block IV weapon modified to provide 'near term' sea-based terminal protection against short-range ballistic missile threats. The missile will be deployed on the Navy's Aegis-class warships.

Raytheon, the Navy and Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab partnered to carry out the modification development. Sea-Based Terminal Defense is the Navy's operational concept to intercept short-range ballistic missiles as they reach the terminal phase of their trajectory. The Standard Missile 2 Block IV will provide such defense until a more capable system can be fielded. Raytheon is also developing the follow on interceptor missile, known as Active Radar Standard Missile 6, to be deployed in 2010. The new missile will be capable of intercepting targets, including cruise missile, at long-range, over- the-horizon counter. Standard Missile 6 will also have an inherent capability to fulfill the sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense requirement.

This production delivery follows the successful Pacific Phoenix sea trial, where a Near Term Sea-Based Terminal missile successfully intercepted a Lance target in May 2006.