Ship-Launched Missiles Engage, Destroy Targets Over The Pacific | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Sun, Apr 29, 2007

Ship-Launched Missiles Engage, Destroy Targets Over The Pacific

First-Of-Its-Kind Aegis Test Deemed A Success

In a first-of-its-kind dual missile defense test Thursday, a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) simultaneously engaged targets over the Pacific Ocean. This was the first time a US Navy ship demonstrated simultaneous ship engagements against both cruise and ballistic missile targets, and marked the eighth successful intercept for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system's SM-3.

The SM-3 Block IA destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target in space, while SM-2 Block IIIA engaged a cruise missile threat at a lower altitude. Both intercepting missiles were fired from guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) by the ship's crew.

The ballistic missile target was launched from the US Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. The subsonic cruise missile target was launched from a range aircraft.

"The success of the SM-3 program is a validation of our strong Missile Defense Agency, Navy and contractor team," said Louise Francesconi, president of Raytheon Missile Systems, which manufactures the SM-2 and SM-3. "This strong customer relationship and our ability to balance kill vehicle, missile and system requirements helped to ensure a successful mission."

Raytheon Missile Systems tells ANN this test, Flight Test Mission-11, was the second with the Block IA version of SM-3, and the first IA with a full-capability solid divert and attitude control system. Raytheon is delivering Block IA rounds for operational use on Navy cruisers and destroyers.

The SM-3 Block IA provides increased capability to engage short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The SM-3 Block IA incorporates rocket motor upgrades and computer program modifications to improve sensor performance, missile guidance and control, and lower cost. It also includes producibility and maintainability features required to qualify the missile as a tactical fleet asset.

"SM-3 represents a truly global missile defense capability," said Jim Maslowski, Raytheon Missile Systems international programs vice president and former director, US Navy International Program Office. "SM-3 can leverage the deployed base of Standard Missile, which is in operation with 13 nations worldwide. SM-3 really fits into the Chief of Naval Operations' 1,000-ship navy concept."

FMI: www.raytheon.com/businesses/rms/index.html, www.navy.mil

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.10.25): Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) [ICAO]

Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) [ICAO] Area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a d>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Cessna 172

The Airplane Came To Rest Underneath A Set Of Damaged Power Distribution Lines On The Floor Of A Coulee On June 19, 2025, at 1412 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N7>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.10.25)

Aero Linx: FAA Managers Association (FAAMA) Recognized by the FAA, FAAMA is a professional association dedicated to the promotion of excellence in public service. The Association i>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: The Big Business of Diminutive Powerplants

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Jet Central Micro-Turbine Engines Impress Founded in the late-1990s, Mexico City-based Jet Central produces a unique and fascinating line of micro-turb>[...]

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Bos, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a ne>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC