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Raytheon and the US Navy have successfully flight-tested the first Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) surface-to-air missile, after production was restarted last year to meet global demand. The SM-2 has attracted considerable investment from Australia, the Netherlands, South Korea and Japan.
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In a shipborne capacity, the surface-to-air missile is designed to allow modern navies to defend against belligerent aircraft, UAS, and anti-ship missiles. After launching, the SM-2 Block IIIB provided accurate telemetry data and successfully engaged an airborne Navy target.
The production line was kickstarted back into action in June 2017, after laying dormant for nearly two years. This was done in order to meet foreign interest, which took the shape of a $650 million order from the four countries – totalling 280 SM-2 Block IIIAs and IIIBs. Raytheon maintains that the interim period was used to invest in upgraded equipment and a streamlined manufacturing process.
"The SM-2 is in high demand because of its advanced capabilities and history of more than 2,700 successful flight tests from US Navy and international ships," said Dr Mitch Stevison, Raytheon Strategic and Naval Systems vice president.
"Navies worldwide have relied on this missile and it will continue to provide fleet protection for decades to come."
Speaking to Reuters in 2017, then Raytheon Missile chief Taylor Lawrence suggested the deal could even keep the Arizona production line open through 2035. As the US and other allies seek to rebuild their inventories using the modernised production line, he reasoned, the company anticipated orders to continue rolling in.
The sale of the missiles will take place through the US Navy, rather than directly through Raytheon. Accordingly, the sale is subject to formal approval from Congress. The company has previously delivered over 11,000 SM-2 missiles to customers worldwide, and hopes to fill this order within the year.
Missile features common to both the Block IIIA and IIIB families of the SM-2 include:
