Raytheon SM-6s Missiles intercept targets in 'engage on remote' tests

: Posted On Friday, 24 October 2014 18:28

Naval Forces News - USA

Raytheon SM-6s Missiles intercept targets in 'engage on remote' tests

During the U.S. Navy's Combat Ship System Qualification Trials, the USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) tested two Raytheon Company Standard Missile-6 interceptors against anti-ship and cruise missile targets. As part of 'engage on remote' scenarios, the ship launched the SM-6 interceptors prior to its own radars 'seeing' the incoming threats, using targeting information from another Aegis ship in the area—the USS Sampson (DDG 102).

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 19, 2014) The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) launches a Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) during a live-fire test of the ship's aegis weapons system. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

The first SM-6 intercepted a low-altitude, short-range supersonic target (GQM-163A), while the second intercepted a low-altitude, medium-range subsonic target (BQM-74E).

"Advanced warning and cueing from another sensor or ship allows the U.S. Navy to take full advantage of SM-6's over-the-horizon capability," said Mike Campisi, Standard Missile-6 senior program director. "Now the warfighter does not have to wait until the threat is knocking at the door to take it out. Targets are destroyed much sooner and one ship can defend a much larger area."

Deployed for the first time in December 2013, SM-6 provides the U.S. Navy extended range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.

Raytheon has delivered more than 130 SM-6 interceptors to the U.S. Navy. The missile's final assembly takes place at Raytheon's state-of-the-art SM-6 and SM-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.

The U.S. Navy executed a successful flight test of the surface-to-air Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) at White Sands Missile Range, Aug. 14. During flight test "Juliet," the Navy examined the missile's ability to intercept a subsonic, low altitude target over land. Juliet is one of 10 follow on operational test and evaluation (FOT&E) events planned for SM-6's missile performance and demonstration.

GQM 163A Coyote. These were not the first engage-on-remote tests, but they were the first using a cue from an 'assist' ship (USS Sampson).
(picture: Orbital Science)

About the Standard Missile-6
SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon air defense capability by leveraging the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile's airframe and propulsion.
The SM-6 uses both active and semiactive guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.
It incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities from Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.