Naval Systems: Standard Series Raises the Bar Again

The Navy's Standard Missile Program Executive Office and Raytheon Missile Systems have reported that the company has completed successful demonstrations of a new maneuverability upgrade for the SM-2 Block 1MB air-defense missile, another in a long series of performance improvements for the Standard missile family. The upgrade will be incorporated into missiles already deployed to Ticonderoga- and Arleigh Burke-class Aegis cruisers and destroyers.

Those ships currently are armed with SM-2 Block III A and B. and Block IV ER (extended range) missiles, all of which are launched from the Mk 41 vertical launching system (VLS). Raytheon says the Block 1MB maneuverability upgrade "met all test objectives throughout a sequence of high-G maneuvers" during a late-2006 llight test at the White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico.

The Block II1B upgrade complements enhancements recently completed for the Block IV ER variant, which include such components as a new steering control section, thrust vector actuator assembly for the boost rocket motor, primary missile battery, and improved guidance and control software.

The Navy plans to replace the SM2 series with the SM-6 extended-range active missile (ERAM), possibly around 2013. The SM-6 builds on the SM-2 Block IV airframe and, like SM-2, on continuing evolutionary enhancements to the Aegis combat system program developed by Lockheed Martin, and the longrange sensor-netting capabilities provided by the cooperative-engagement capability (CEC) for Fleet air defense. The SM-6 also is planned to arm the DDG-1000 destroyer, and beyond that, the CG(X) next-generation cruiser. In January, the Navy awarded Raytheon a $30 million contract for engineering and technical services through January 2008 to support Standard missile research, development, test, and evaluation.

Meanwhile, PEO Integrated Warfare Systems continues to field and upgrade the Block IIIB variant. In 2006 Raytheon was awarded an $8 million contract by the Navy for Block IIIB post- and commonproduction spares for SM-2s previously ordered. Earlier in the year, the Navy exercised an option to a previously awarded Raytheon contract for Fiscal Year 2006 production of SM-2 Block IIIB "all-up rounds" (missile, launch container, and associated equipmeni for quick installation into the Mk 41 VLS). service-life extension program (SLEP) retrofits, and telemetric data-transmitting sets for 75 missiles, 80 SLEP kits, and 1 25 transmitting sets. The Navy also recently awarded contracts for Raytheon production and technical support for international sales of the SM-I. the earliest Standard version, now in service in 1 3 foreign navies.

The SM-2 series also has evolved into the SM-3 high-velocity ballistic missile defense weapon, to be launched from 77conderogos. Burkes, and future surface combatants for defense against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles in mid-course flight. The company says the SM-3, under development for the Missile Defense Agency, builds on SM-2 Block IV airframe and propulsion systems, and introduces a new nose cone, kinetic warhead, and third-stage guidance section and rocket motor.

The start of development of the SM-3 followed termination in December 2001 of the Navy's area-ballistic-missile defense program, which was to be built around an SM-2 Block IVA variant, designed with a blast-fragmentation warhead rather than a hit-tokill warhead. The Block IVA program experienced problems with its forward-looking fuze and infrared seeker cooling system, and difficulty operating with the Aegis combat system.

Navy and industry officials note that the focus on upgrades for the Block IIIB and Block IV ER programs in parallel with development for the SM-6 are intended to counter continuing improvements in antiship cruise missile technology.

The SM-3 aims both to meet the original requirement of the Navy area defense program, and to reinforce the case that a seabased capability bypasses the complexities of securing and defending sites for shorebased missile defenses, while providing the mobility offered by a sea-based force.