Posted on 08/31/2017 8:49:53 AM PDT by Freeport
New SM-6 intercepts ballistic missile target at sea Test of enhanced software succeeds against sophisticated medium-range ballistic missile
PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, Hawaii, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon (NYSE: RTN)-built Standard Missile-6 intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea in its final seconds of flight, after being fired from the USS John Paul Jones.
The SM-6 missile can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and – now – even more advanced ballistic missile defense at sea.
"Earlier this year, our customer requested an enhanced capability to deal with a sophisticated medium-range ballistic missile threat," said Mike Campisi, Raytheon's SM-6 senior program director. "We did all this – the analysis, coding and testing – in seven months; a process that normally takes one to two years."
This was the third time that the SM-6 missile successfully engaged a ballistic missile target in its terminal phase. It was first tested in a successful flight test mission in August 2015, and then again in late 2016.
Deployed on U.S. Navy ships, SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon offensive and defensive capability by leveraging the time-tested Standard Missile airframe and propulsion system. It's the only missile that supports anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense in one solution—and it's enabling the U.S. and its allies to cost-effectively increase the offensive might of surface forces. Raytheon has delivered more than 330 SM-6 missiles with continuing production.
The U.S. Department of Defense has approved the sale of SM-6 to several allied nations.
About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. www.raytheon.com
On land we have the iffy ICBM Ground Based Interceptor (GBI), solid terminal exoatmospheric/high altitude THAAD and terminal low altitude Patriot.
Now, if we can get the GBI reliable, we'd have a shot at taking out SRBMs, MRBMs, and ICBMs from a limited supply state like North Korea or Iran.
Big whoop. What’s the point of having it if we dont use it?
Uhm... you do realize we are talking about ballistic missile launched nuclear or chemical weapons right?
That these systems are intended to shoot down those missiles if fired at the US or it’s allies right?
Or are you really as stupid as your statement presents?
Let’s use it on the launch pad at pongyang yang. Or just let them have nukes.
I'd like to see them routinely [try to] shoot down EVERY NORK missile. Better to perfect our systems now than in real combat.
Are you as stupid as your brother and sister parents seem to be? Stick to playing your banjo on the porch.
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