US Navy Test Fires Raytheon Built SM-6 Missile

US Navy has test-fired Raytheon developed two Standard Missile-6 Dual I guided missiles, intercepting a medium-range ballistic missile target at sea in its final seconds of flight.

The SM-6 is the new Sea-Based Terminal variant of the company's versatile missile portfolio. It was tested from the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) during a recent test event, the company announced Monday.

The SM-6 Dual I achieved initial operating capability in 2016, and is on track to achieve final operating capability. It was first tested in a successful flight test mission in August 2015.

"This test showcased the flexibility of SM-6 by providing both anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense from sea," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "Combined with its anti-surface warfare capabilities, the SM-6 will play a significant role in protecting U.S. and Allied forces at sea and ashore."

The US Missile Defense Agency's Sea-Based Terminal program will protect against ballistic threats in their terminal phase of flight by using SM-6 missiles integrated into the Aegis integrated missile guidance system.

SM-6 provides US Navy vessels with extended-range protection against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight, and an offensive capability against surface targets.

In April 2015, Raytheon delivered the first full-rate production SM-6 from its $75-million, 70,000-square-foot SM-6 and Standard Missile-3 all-up-round production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Raytheon has delivered more than 315 SM-6 missiles with continuing production.