RIM-174 ERAM
Standard SM-6
USS John Paul Jones launches a RIM-174 in June 2014
TypeSurface-to-air missile (Primary role)
Anti-ballistic missile (Terminal phase)
Anti-ship missile (Secondary role)
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2013–present
Used byUnited States Navy
Royal Australian Navy[1]
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force[2]
Republic of Korea Navy[3]
Production history
ManufacturerRaytheon
Unit cost
  • US$4.87m
    (US$8,766.6m for 1800)[4]
  • US$4,318,632 (FY2021) (average)
Produced2009–present
No. built500[5]
(1,800 planned)[6]
Specifications
Mass3,300 lb (1,500 kg)
Length21.5 ft (6.6 m)
Diameter13.5 in (0.34 m) for Block IA
21 in (0.53 m) for Block IB
Wingspan61.8 in (1.57 m)
Warhead140 lb (64 kg) blast fragmentation[7]
Detonation
mechanism
Radar and contact fuze
EngineTwo Stage: Solid rocket booster, solid rocket booster/sustainer
Operational
range
130 nmi (150 mi; 240 km)[8]
Flight ceiling>110,000 ft (34,000 m)
Maximum speed Mach 3.5 (2,664.2 mph; 4,287.7 km/h; 1.2 km/s)
Guidance
system
Inertial guidance, terminal active and semi-active radar homing
Launch
platform
Surface ship

The RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM), or Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), is a missile in current production for the United States Navy. It was designed for extended-range anti-air warfare (ER-AAW) purposes, providing capability against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship cruise missiles in flight, both over sea and land, and terminal ballistic missile defense. It can also be used as a high-speed anti-ship missile.[9] The missile uses the airframe of the earlier SM-2ER Block IV (RIM-156A) missile,[10] adding the active radar homing seeker from the AIM-120C AMRAAM in place of the semi-active seeker of the previous design. This will improve the capability of the Standard missile against highly agile targets and targets beyond the effective range of the launching vessels' target illumination radars. Initial operating capability was planned for 2013 and was achieved on 27 November 2013.[11] The SM-6 is not meant to replace the SM-2 series of missiles but will serve alongside and provide extended range and increased firepower.[12] It was approved for export in January 2017.[13]

Description

SM-6 Missile Profile.

The Standard ERAM is a two-stage missile with a booster stage and a second stage. It is similar in appearance to the RIM-156A Standard missile. The radar seeker is an enlarged version adapted from the AIM-120C AMRAAM seeker (13.5 in (34 cm) versus 7 in (18 cm)). The missile may be employed in a number of modes: inertially guided to target with terminal acquisition using active radar seeker, semi-active radar homing all the way, or an over-the-horizon shot with Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). The missile is also capable of terminal ballistic missile defense as a supplement to the Standard Missile 3 (RIM-161).

The SM-6 offers extended range over previous SM-2 series missiles, primarily being able to intercept very high altitude or sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, and is also capable of performing terminal phase ballistic missile defense. The SM-6 can also function as a high-speed anti-ship missile. It can discriminate targets using its dual-mode seeker, with the semi-active seeker relying on a ship-based illuminator to highlight the target and the active seeker having the missile itself send out an electromagnetic signal; the active seeker has the ability to detect a land-based cruise missile amid ground features, even from behind a mountain. The multi-mission SM-6 is engineered with the aerodynamics of an SM-2, the propulsion booster stack of the SM-3, and the front-end configuration of the AMRAAM.[14] Estimates of the SM-6's range vary; its official published range is 130 nmi (150 mi; 240 km),[8] but it could be anywhere from 200 nmi (230 mi; 370 km)[15] to as much as 250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km).[16][17]

The U.S. Navy is adding GPS guidance to the SM-6 Block IA so that it has the capability to strike surface targets if needed. However, given its higher cost than other land attack weapons like the Tomahawk cruise missile, it would not likely be used as a primary option.[18][19] In February 2016, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter confirmed that the SM-6 would be modified to act as an anti-ship weapon.[20]

On 17 January 2018, the U.S. Navy approved plans to develop the SM-6 Block IB, which will feature a 21 in (53 cm) rocket motor instead of the current 13.5 in (34 cm) motor. The new variant will significantly increase the missile's range and speed, enabling a hypersonic and extended-range anti-surface warfare capability.[21][22]

In November 2020, the U.S. Army selected the SM-6 to fulfill its Mid-Range Capability (MRC)-renamed the Strategic Mid-Range Fires in 2023[23]-system giving it a land-based long-range missile capable of striking ground targets. The Army plans to use the SM-6 alongside a ground-based Tomahawk cruise missile and field them by late 2023.[17]

History

Raytheon entered a contract in 2004 to develop the missile for the United States Navy after the cancellation of the Standard Missile 2 extended range block IVA (RIM-156B). Development started in 2005, followed by testing in 2007. The missile was officially designated RIM-174A in February 2008. Initial low rate production was authorized in 2009.[24] Raytheon received a $93 million contract to begin production of the RIM-174A in September 2009.[25] The first low-rate production missile was delivered in March 2011.[26] SM-6 was approved for full-rate production in May 2013.[27] On 27 November 2013, the Standard ERAM achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) when it was fielded on board USS Kidd.[11]

During exercises from 18–20 June 2014, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John Paul Jones fired four SM-6s. One part of the exercise, designated NIFC-CA AS-02A, resulted in the then-longest surface-to-air engagement in naval history;[28] the exact range of the intercept was not publicly released.[29] On 14 August 2014, an SM-6 was test fired against a subsonic, low-altitude cruise missile target and successfully intercepted it over land. A key element of the test was to assess its ability to discern a slow-moving target among ground clutter.[14] On 24 October 2014, Raytheon announced that two SM-6s intercepted anti-ship and cruise missile targets during "engage on remote" scenarios. A low-altitude, short-range supersonic GQM-163A and a low-altitude, medium-range subsonic BQM-74E were shot down by SM-6s fired from a guided-missile cruiser using targeting information provided by a guided-missile destroyer. Advanced warning and cueing from other ships allows the missile's over-the-horizon capability to be used to a greater extent, allowing a single ship to defend a much larger area.[30] In May 2015, the SM-6 was moved from low-rate to full-rate production, significantly increasing production numbers and further reducing unit cost.[31]

On 28 July 2015, the Navy tested the modified SM-6 Dual I version to successfully intercept a ballistic missile target in the terminal phase, the last few seconds before it would impact; the Dual I upgrade adds a more powerful processor that runs more sophisticated targeting software to hit a warhead descending from the upper atmosphere at extreme speed. This adds to the fleet's missile defense capabilities by allowing it to intercept ballistic missiles that could not be hit by SM-3 missiles, which target missiles in the midcourse phase. The Navy had used the SM-2 Block IV as a terminal ballistic interceptor, but the SM-6 combines missile defense with traditional cruise missile and aircraft interdiction in the same package. The SM-6 Dual I configuration is planned to enter service in 2016.[6][32][33]

In January 2016, the SM-6 demonstrated both maximum down range and maximum cross-range intercepts in over-the-horizon, engage-on-remote missions supported by CEC, breaking the previous maximum engagement record it set in June 2014. Five targets were shot down in the test, proving the missile's capability to conduct multiple target scenarios.[5][34] The SM-6 also sunk the decommissioned USS Reuben James in an 18 January 2016 demonstration, displaying its anti-ship capabilities.[35] On 30 September 2016, Raytheon announced that the SM-6 had again achieved the longest surface-to-air intercept in naval history, breaking its previous long-range intercept record made in January 2016.[36] On 14 December 2016, the Missile Defense Agency successfully launched two SM-6 Dual I missiles at a "complex, medium-range ballistic missile target", proving that its explosive—rather than hit-to-kill—warhead was capable of defeating medium-range ballistic missile threats;[37] this ability may enable it to counter Chinese DF-21D and DF-26B anti-ship ballistic missile threats.[38]

In August 2017, the Missile Defense Agency conducted another successful intercept test of a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).[39] Two SM-6 Dual I missiles were launched from USS John Paul Jones to intercept a target MRBM launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility during the terminal phase of its flight.[40] The test marked the third successful intercept of a ballistic missile by the SM-6.[39]

In April 2021, USS John Finn used an SM-6 to strike a simulated naval target 250 miles away.[41] In the same month, a Super Hornet was photographed carrying what appeared to be an SM-6 while in flight.[42]

On 27 May 2021, the Russian Navy ship Kareliya (SSV-535), a Vishnya-class auxiliary general intelligence (AGI) ship operating near Pacific Missile Range Facility, caused the delay of the Flight Test Aegis Weapon System.[43][44] On 29 May 2021, Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 31 Event 1, a salvo of two SM-6 Dual II missiles failed to intercept two medium-range ballistic missiles; only one MRBM was intercepted.[45][46][47]

On March 30 2023, The U.S. Missile Defense Agency along with the U.S. Navy, successfully intercepted ballistic missile in its terminal phase with a quick salvo of two SM-6 Dual II missiles. This marked the third successful test of an Aegis BMD vessel using the SM-6 Dual II missile and the first intercept of a MRBM target using the SM-6 Dual II SWUP (Software Upgrade) missile.[48][49]

Variants

Designation Block Platform Notes
RIM-174A SM-6 Block I Aegis combat system and Mk 41 VLS Reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2013. Reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2017
  • BMD Capability
  • AAW Capability
  • Dual I
RIM-174B SM-6 Block Ia Aegis combat system and Mk 41 VLS, Land based Typhon Weapon System Reached IOC in October 2019. Reached FOC in 1QFY2023
  • BMD Capability
  • AAW Capability
  • ASuW Capability
  • Dual II
RIM-174C? SM-6 Block Ib Aegis combat system and Mk 41 VLS, Typhon Weapon System IOC expected 1QFY2024
  • ASuW Capability

Operators

Current

United States United States
Japan Japan

Future

Australia Australia
South Korea South Korea

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RIM-174 Standard ERAM.

References

  1. ↑ "Australian Defence White Paper 2009" (PDF). defence.gov.au. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Japan Eyes More Muscular Defense". Japan Space Policy. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "South Korea to purchase Standard Missile-6 interceptors". Navy Recognition. 26 April 202. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "Comprehensive Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) For the December 31, 2017 Reporting Requirement as Updated by the President's FY 2019 Budget" (PDF). U.S. Dept of Defense. 31 December 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Standard Missile-6 (SM-6)". Missile Defense Advocacy. March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 LaGrone, Sam (4 August 2015). "Successful SM-6 Ballistic Missile Defense Test Set To Expand Capability of U.S. Guided Missile Fleet". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Ho, Ben (10 March 2016). "Fixing the US Navy's Anti-Surface Warfare Shortfall". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  8. 1 2 Tegler, Eric (10 February 2016). "The Navy's Air Defense Missile Will Become a Supersonic Ship Killer". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (8 March 2016). "How to Sink Warships: U.S. Navy Reveals Anti-Ship SM-6 Missile". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Standard Missile-6". Raytheon. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Achieves Initial Operational Capability". Naval Sea Systems Command. 27 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (19 August 2014). "Non-Standard: Navy SM-6 Kills Cruise Missiles Deep Inland". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023.
  13. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (10 January 2017). "SM-6 Cleared for International Sale; Australia, Japan, Korea Could Be Early Customers". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017.
  14. 1 2 Osborn, Kris (20 August 2014). "Navy Missile Hits Subsonic Target Over Land". military.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018.
  15. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (4 February 2016). "SECDEF Carter Confirms Navy Developing Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile for Cruisers, Destroyers". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016.
  16. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (5 February 2016). "Sinking Enemy Warships: the U.S. Navy's Fiery New Weapon". National Interest. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016.
  17. 1 2 Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (6 November 2020). "Army Picks Tomahawk & SM-6 For Mid-Range Missiles". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023.
  18. ↑ Burgess, Richard (10 January 2017). "SM-6 Block 1A Testing is Expected This Year". Seapower Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  19. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (5 August 2015). "Pit LRASM Against Tomahawk For Anti-Ship Missile: VADM Aucoin". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Defense secretary says budget plan focuses on high-end ships". Military Times. 4 February 2016. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  21. ↑ Katz, Justin (24 April 2019). "Navy seeks $38.2 million reprogramming for hypersonic, extended range upgrade to SM-6". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  22. ↑ Sherman, Jason (18 July 2018). "Navy looking to increase range, speed of SM-6 with larger rocket motor". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  23. ↑ "The U.S. Army's Strategic Mid-Range Fires System". Congressional Research Service. 28 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024.
  24. ↑ "Raytheon RIM-174 ERAM (SM-6)". Designation Systems. 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "U.S. Navy Awards Raytheon $93 Million Contract for Standard Missile-6". Raytheon. 9 September 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2009.
  26. ↑ "Raytheon Delivers First Standard Missile-6 to U.S. Navy". Raytheon. 25 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "Defense Acquisition Board approves Standard Missile-6 full-rate production". Raytheon. 22 May 2013. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "US Navy destroyer conducts longest ever surface-air engagement with new SM-6 missiles". Defense Update. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023.
  29. ↑ "Air Defense: SM-6 Goes Long". Strategy Page. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Raytheon SM-6s Missiles intercept targets in 'engage on remote' tests". Navy Recognition. 24 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023.
  31. ↑ "Raytheon's SM-6 Surface-to-Air Missile moves from low-rate to full-rate production". Navy Recognition. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023.
  32. ↑ McAvoy, Audrey (4 August 2015). "U.S. military tests ballistic missile interceptor off Hawaii". Military Times. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  33. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (4 August 2015). "SM-6 Can Now Kill Both Cruise AND Ballistic Missiles". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023.
  34. ↑ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (7 March 2016). "Anti-Aircraft Missile Sinks Ship: Navy SM-6". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023.
  35. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (7 March 2016). "Navy Sinks Former Frigate USS Reuben James in Test of New Supersonic Anti-Surface Missile". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023.
  36. ↑ "U.S. Navy sets intercept record with SM-6 missile". upi.com. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020.
  37. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (15 December 2015). "MDA Conducts Successful BMD Intercept with Ship-launched SM-6". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  38. ↑ Majumdar, Dave (16 December 2016). "How the U.S. Navy is Trying to Make China's 'Carrier-Killer' Missiles Obsolete". National Interest. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016.
  39. 1 2 McGarry, Brendan (30 August 2017). "US Tests Enhanced SM-6 After NK Launches Missile Over Japan". Defense Tech. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017.
  40. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (30 August 2017). "VIDEO: Navy, Missile Defense Agency Succeed During SM-6 Ballistic Missile Defense Test - USNI News". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  41. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (26 April 2021). "Unmanned Systems, Passive Sensors Help USS John Finn Bullseye Target With SM-6". U.S. Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  42. ↑ "The Weekly Debrief: Air-launched, SM-6-like Missile Exposed In New Test Photo". Aviation Week. 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  43. ↑ Cole, William (26 May 2021). "Russian spy ship operating off Kauai, Navy confirms". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021.
  44. ↑ Cole, William (27 May 2021). "Russian spy ship off Kauai results in postponed missile test". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021.
  45. ↑ "MDA Test Does Not Intercept Target". Missile Defence Agency. 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023.
  46. ↑ "Military weapon system test fails to intercept target". Associated Press. 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021.
  47. ↑ "Missile Defense Agency Test Does Not Intercept Target". Maui Now. 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023.
  48. ↑ Wright, Mark (31 March 2023). "MDA Test Successfully Intercepts Ballistic Missile Target". U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023.
  49. ↑ "MDA Test Successfully Intercepts Ballistic Missile Target". Missile Defense Agency. 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  50. ↑ "Australia – Defense Services Related to Future Standard Missile Production". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
  51. ↑ "South Korea to purchase Standard Missile-6 interceptors". Navy Recognition. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
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