Article Posted on : - Aug 27, 2013

Model of the Standard Missile-6. A Raytheon photo

POINT MUGU SEA RANGE, CALIFORNIA (BNS): The US Navy has successfully fired two Standard Missile-6 interceptors from the USS Chancellorsville, engaging two cruise missile targets (BQM-74 drones), in the missile's first over-the-horizon test scenario at sea.

Raytheon Company SM-6 will provide US 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, a company statement said.

"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 programme 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."

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, Alabama. In May, a Defence 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 programme.

"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."

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.