Raytheon has announced another successful sea-based trial of its Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) following a recent software upgrade.
According to the company, the test involved the SM-6 Dual II (Block IA) configuration, which has been fitted with newly qualified software that significantly enhances the weapon’s capabilities.
It was launched from a US Navy destroyer with a Baseline 9.C2 variant of the Aegis Combat System.
Raytheon said the SM-6 was able to intercept a medium-range ballistic missile target in its final seconds of flight, confirming its upgraded capabilities.
“This test demonstrated that the latest versions of the SM-6 and combat system provide the critical capability to destroy an incoming sophisticated missile threat,” Raytheon official Kim Ernzen said.
The trial was already the seventh live-fire test of the SM-6.
Staying Ahead of Threats
Dubbed “three missiles in one,” the SM-6 is reportedly the only weapon that can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense missions.
It is deployed on US Navy warships, delivering “over-the-horizon” offensive and defensive capability.
To address evolving threats, the weapon has received various upgrades, including a redesigned body and larger rocket motor for the latest SM-6 Block IB variant.
Hundreds of SM-6s have been delivered to the US Navy and its allies, enabling them to cost-effectively increase their surface might.
“Raytheon is committed to ensuring our technology stays ahead of evolving threats and is available to sailors as quickly as possible,” Ernzen concluded.