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The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a US$333 million (AU$538.6 million) contract to produce Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block 1A missiles.
Deployed on US Navy ships, the SM-6 provides a proven, over-the-horizon offensive and defensive capability, leveraging the reliable Standard Missile airframe and propulsion system. Uniquely versatile, the SM-6 is the only missile that supports anti-air and anti-surface warfare alongside sea-based terminal ballistic missile defence in a single, cost-effective solution.
The capability enables both the US and allied forces, including Australia, to significantly enhance the offensive power of their surface fleets.
Barbara Borgonovi, president of naval power at Raytheon, celebrated this contract announcement, saying, “Raytheon continues to work closely with our customers to ensure our military has an unfair advantage at sea and to keep our adversaries guessing.”
The SM-6 has demonstrated its flexibility and effectiveness through successful launches from US Navy ships, unmanned vessels and land-based launchers. In March 2024, the missile displayed its advanced anti-missile capabilities by intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target during the Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-32 exercise.
This contract comes in quick succession to Australia’s first successful test firing of the SM-6 missile during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024, marking a pivotal moment for the Royal Australian Navy, showcasing its integration with cutting-edge, multi-mission missile systems and reinforcing Australia’s commitment to regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
Borgonovi added, “SM-6 has a proven performance and this contract is an important step for providing this urgently needed weapon to our armed forces.”
Australia’s successful firing of the SM-6 further strengthens its defence ties with the United States and demonstrates its readiness to adopt state-of-the-art technology in safeguarding regional stability. This achievement underscores Australia’s growing role in addressing emerging security challenges within the Indo-Pacific.
The SM-6 is the only weapon that is capable of performing anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and ballistic missile defence or sea-based terminal missions, offering navies more flexibility in limited ship space in the existing vertical launch system loadouts. SM-6 is deployable on 60 surface ships across the US Navy, with Raytheon having delivered more than 500 missiles to the US Navy.
