Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, has received a contract valued at USD 333 million from the US Navy for the production of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block IA missiles.
The SM-6 missile, deployed on US Navy vessels, provides a reliable offensive and defensive capability that extends beyond the horizon, utilizing the established Standard Missile airframe and propulsion system. It uniquely integrates anti-air and anti-surface warfare capabilities along with sea-based terminal ballistic missile defence into a single solution, allowing the United States and its allies to enhance the offensive capabilities of surface forces in a cost-effective manner.
The SM-6 has been successfully launched from a variety of US Navy ships, unmanned platforms, and land-based launchers. In March 2024, during the Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM)-32 exercise, the SM-6 showcased its anti-missile effectiveness by successfully intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea.
“SM-6 has a proven performance, and this contract is an important step for providing this urgently needed weapon to our armed forces,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “Raytheon continues to work closely with our customers to ensure our military has an unfair advantage at sea and to keep our adversaries guessing.”
Production under this contract will be completed at Raytheon facilities in Tucson, Arizona, Huntsville, Alabama., Andover, Massachusetts, and Dine, New Mexico with expected completion by 2027.
Standard Missile 6 (SM-6)
The Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) was specifically developed for extended-range anti-air warfare (ER-AAW), enabling it to engage fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and anti-ship cruise missiles in flight, both over land and sea, as well as providing terminal ballistic missile defence. Additionally, it can function as a high-speed anti-ship missile.
The SM-6 utilizes the airframe of the earlier SM-2ER Block IV (RIM-156A) missile, incorporating the active radar homing seeker from the AIM-120C AMRAAM, replacing the semi-active seeker of its predecessor. This enhancement significantly improves the missile’s effectiveness against highly maneuverable targets and those beyond the effective range of the target illumination radars of the launching vessels.
The initial operating capability was anticipated for 2013 and was successfully achieved on 27 November 2013. The SM-6 is designed to complement the SM-2 series of missiles, providing extended range and enhanced firepower rather than replacing them. It received export approval in January 2017.
An air-to-air variant, designated the AIM-174, represents the first dedicated long-range air-to-air missile utilized by the USN since the AIM-54 Phoenix was retired in 2004. Furthermore, the SM-6 can be launched from the US Army’s Typhon missile system as part of the Strategic Mid-range Fires System (SMRF).
