Raytheon Standard Missile-2 Intercept Shows Near-Term, Sea-Based Terminal Capability

MISSILE DEFENSE

File photo: SM-2 Block 4a

by Staff Writers
Kauai, HI (SPX) Jun 06, 2008
Two Raytheon built Standard Missile-2 Block IV missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target above the Pacific Ocean June 5. The successful engagement demonstrated a near- term, sea-based capability for stopping threat ballistic missiles in their terminal or final phase of flight.

The short-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Mobile Launch Platform operating off the coast of Kauai on the Pacific Missile Range Facility while the crew of the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) fired the modified SM-2 Block IV surface-to-air missiles.

"This intercept is a major step toward deploying a viable sea-based capability to stop threat ballistic missiles in the final moments before they strike," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Naval Weapon Systems. "SM-2 Block IV can destroy incoming missiles through either direct impact or by exploding close to the target."

This was the second test of a modified SM-2 Block IV and the first to use an operational version of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense combat system that includes the terminal BMD mission capability.

Raytheon's missile defense hit-to-kill successes:

Standard Missile-3 Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle
Jan. 25, 2002 Oct. 2, 1999
June 13, 2002 July 13, 2001
Nov. 21, 2002 Dec. 3, 2001
Dec. 11, 2003 March 15, 2002
Feb. 24, 2005 Oct. 14, 2002
Nov. 17, 2005 Sept. 1, 2006
June 22, 2006 Sept. 28, 2007
April 26, 2007
June 22, 2007
Nov. 6, 2007
Dec. 17, 2007
Feb. 20, 2008

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MISSILE DEFENSE

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