Through a $333 million contract, the United States Navy (US Navy) has ordered the production of new SM-6 Block IA anti-aircraft missiles from Raytheon. Manufacturing will take place at the company’s facilities located in Tucson, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; Andover, Massachusetts; and Dine, New Mexico. The project is expected to be completed by 2027, further strengthening the defensive and offensive capabilities of the U.S. surface fleet.
The SM-6 stands out for being three missiles in one, combining in a single weapon the ability to perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense at sea. This multi-mission design provides strategic flexibility to navies, optimizing the limited space on ships and enabling the U.S. and its allies to cost-effectively enhance the offensive power of their surface forces.
The SM-6 Block IA missiles have already been deployed on various Navy ships, consolidating an offensive and defensive capability that fully utilizes the missile’s propulsion system horizon. Among its features, it includes a solid-fuel rocket motor and an active radar seeker, allowing it to intercept high-speed targets at various ranges. Additionally, its design incorporates proven components from ground-to-air and air-to-air technology, reducing life cycle costs.
In March of last year, during the Flight Test Aegis Weapon System (FTM)-32 exercise, the SM-6 successfully intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile, solidifying its operational capabilities from ships, land-based platforms, and unmanned vessels.
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