In a first-of-its-kind test, the U.S. Navy fired a Raytheon Company Standard Missile-6, intercepting and destroying a short-range ballistic missile target at sea. The successful U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) test proved a modified SM-6 can eliminate threat ballistic missiles in their final seconds of flight.

“SM-6 is the only missile in the world that can do both anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense from sea. U.S. Navy commanders want both capability and flexibility to meet a wide variety of missions, and that's exactly what SM-6 offers,” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, President of Raytheon Missile Systems.

MDA's Sea-Based Terminal (SBT) program will protect against ballistic threats in their terminal phase of flight using SM-6 missiles integrated into the Aegis Weapon System. Called SM-6 Dual 1, it's on track to achieve initial operating capability in 2016.

Following SM-6's interception of a ballistic missile target, three additional test events were conducted. During the series, the U.S. Navy fired two additional SM-6s in anti-air warfare roles. Both missiles successfully engaged cruise missile targets.  The U.S. Navy also fired a Standard Missile-2 Block IV that successfully intercepted its target, validating this weapon's current capability to stop short-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase of flight.

Raytheon is a world leader in missile defense systems, including the battle-proven Patriot air and missile defense system; the SM-3 ballistic missile destroyer; the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), and AN/TPY-2, the world's most advanced ballistic missile defense radar. Learn more here.

SM-6 delivers a proven over-the-horizon, air defense capability by leveraging the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile's airframe and propulsion. 

• SM-6 uses both active and semi-active guidance modes and advanced fuzing techniques.
• The missile incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities from Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.

Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 years,

Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cybersecurity and a broad range of mission support services.