RIM-161 Standard SM-3

A U.S. naval anti-ballistic missile (ABM) with demonstrated capability against satellites. It is fired from the Vertical Launch System of ships equipped with the AEGIS Battle Management System and AN/SPY-2 ABM radar. As opposed to having the high-explosive warhead of SM-2 anti-air missiles, it kills an incoming warhead or orbiting satellite by colliding directly with the target, a collision with sufficient kinetic energy to vaporize the target and the interceptor.

The missile is the actual kill mechanism of the Navy theater ballistic missile defense system. It is deployed aboard Ticonderoga class cruisers, and could be added to Burke class destroyers. It is being sold, along with the associated radars and computers, to Japan for use aboard Kongo class destroyers, which are a Japanese-manufactured version of the Burke class.

Operational use

SM-3 equipped U.S. ships were deployed in the Sea of Japan during North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile tests. Later, in December 2007, An SM-3 was fired successfully from the Japanese destroyer JDS Kongo, hitting its target. Japan sees the system as a deterrent against North Korea and China.

In February 2008, a SM-3 fired from USS Lake Erie successfully destroyed a U.S. reconnaissance satellite whose orbit was decaying. The U.S. explanation was that if the satellite had entered and not burned up, as intended, during atmospheric reentry, toxic station-keeping propellants on the satellite could be a hazard to people on Earth.

General characteristics

• Contractor: Raytheon
• Range = 300 mi/480km
• Speed: 9600 km/h (6000 mph)
• Ceiling: greater than 100 mi/160 km
• Length (incl. booster) 6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
• Finspan 1.57 m (61.8 in)
• Diameter 0.34 m (13.5 in)

Relationship to other BMD sensors

While the SM-3 proper is reported not to be fast enough to kill an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) reentry vehicle, the associated electronics (SM-3 upgrades to AEGIS) are speed of light. In somewhat confusing terminology, the national-level ground-based midcourse defense system, using a different interceptor than the SM-3, does have some internetworked modes called "launch on SM-3" and "engage on SM-3".

Possible variants

Israel is asking about a land-based SM-3, which would complement its Arrow-2 and PAC-3. One rationale is the SM-3 gives national coverage, the medium-range Arrow-2 area coverage at 50-60 miles, and PAC-3 for point defense.