The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Raytheon Technologies a $1.9 billion contract last Thursday (July 25) to produce Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptors.
The SM-3 interceptor, jointly developed by the US and Japan, is designed to defend against ballistic missile threats. It has also become a critical component of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (Aegis BMD).
The contract marks a substantial escalation in the two nations’ commitment to cooperative missile defense.
The Standard Missile-3: A Shield Against Ballistic Threats
The SM-3 is a highly advanced surface-to-air missile capable of intercepting targets in their midcourse phase and space.
It evolved from the proven SM-2 Block IV missile, leveraging its solid rocket booster and dual-thrust rocket motor for the first two stages. To achieve the extended range required for exo-atmospheric intercepts, a third-stage solid-propellant rocket was added.
The missile’s kill vehicle technology draws its roots from the Strategic Defense Initiative, incorporating a kinetic warhead and a longwave infrared seeker for target discrimination.
Development of the SM-3 has been an incremental process, accompanied by extensive testing. The US Navy, alongside Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, has conducted over 45 SM-3 intercept tests since 2002, refining the system’s capabilities and reliability.
Technical Specifications
- Length: 6.55 meters (21.6 feet)
- Weight: Approximately 1.5 tons
- Propulsion: Three-stage solid-fuel rocket motors
- Speed: Mach 13.2 (4.5 kilometers or 2.5 miles per second)
- Range: 1,200 kilometers (746 miles)
- Ceiling: 1,050 kilometers (652 miles)
- Guidance: Midcourse guidance system and terminal seeker
The SM-3’s kill vehicle employs a hit-to-kill approach, relying on sheer kinetic energy to destroy the target. This method eliminates the risk of collateral damage associated with explosive warheads.
As stated in the contract, the SM-3 will be produced at Raytheon facilities in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama.
The latest contract ensures a steady supply of these critical interceptors to counter evolving threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
US-Japan’s Missile Defense Partnership
The contract comes on the heels of other significant defense deals between the US and Japan, including the acquisition of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM-ER), Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), Sidewinder missiles, and long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
This latest development signals a clear determination by the US and Japan to strengthen their military alliance and deter potential adversaries in the region.
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