RIM-161 Standard Missile 3

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See also: Standard Missile (disambiguation)
RIM-161 SM-3
USS Lake Erie (CG-70) SM-3 start.jpg
A RIM-161 Standard Missile (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie
Type Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
Place of origin United States, Japan (Block IIA)
Service history
Used by United States Navy
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Production history
Manufacturer Raytheon, Aerojet, (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Block IIA)
Unit cost US$9–24 million[1] (2011)
US$11.2m(FY2014)[2] (Block 1B)
Specifications
Weight 1.5 t
Length 6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
Diameter 34.3 cm (13.5 in) for Block I missiles
53.3 cm (21 in) for Block II
Warhead Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead
Wingspan 1.57 m (62 in)
Propellant Stage 1: MK 72 Booster, solid-fuel, Aerojet
Stage 2: MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), solid-fuel, Aerojet
Stage 3: MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM), solid-fuel, ATK
Stage 4: Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS), [Aerojet]
Operational
range
 700 km (378 miles) Block IA/B
2,500 km (1,350 miles) Block IIA [3][N 1]
Flight ceiling 500 km (311 miles) Block IA/B
1,500 km (933 miles) Block IIA [3]
Speed 3 km/s (Mach 10.2) Block IA/B
4.5 km/s (Mach 15.25) Block IIA [3]
Guidance
system
 GPS/INS/semi-active radar homing/passive LWIR infrared homing seeker (KW)

The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a ship-based missile system used by the United States Navy to intercept short-to intermediate-range ballistic missiles as a part of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.[4] Although primarily designed as an anti-ballistic missile, the SM-3 has also been employed in an anti-satellite capacity against a satellite at the lower end of low Earth orbit.[5] The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Motivation and development

The SM-3 evolved from the proven SM-2 Block IV design. The SM-3 uses the same solid rocket booster and dual thrust rocket motor as the Block IV missile for the first and second stages and the same steering control section and midcourse missile guidance for maneuvering in the atmosphere. To support the extended range of an exo-atmospheric intercept, additional missile thrust is provided in a new third stage for the SM-3 missile, containing a dual pulse rocket motor for the early exo-atmospheric phase of flight.[6]

Initial work was done to adapt SM-3 for land deployment ("Aegis ashore") to especially accommodate the Israelis, but they then chose to pursue their own system, the NATO code-name Arrow 3. A group in the Obama administration envisioned a European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) and SM-3 was chosen as the main vector of this effort because the competing U.S. THAAD does not have enough range and would have required too many sites in Europe to provide adequate coverage. Compared to the GMD's Ground-Based Interceptor however, the SM-3 Block I has about ​1⁄5 to ​1⁄6 of the range. A significant improvement in this respect, the SM-3 Block II variant widens the missile's diameter from 0.34 m (13.5 in) to .53 m (21 in), making it more suitable against intermediate-range ballistic missiles.[7]

The Block IIA missile is largely new sharing only the first-stage motor with the Block I. The Block IIA was "designed to allow for Japan to protect against a North Korean attack with fewer deployed ships" but it is also the key element of the EPAA phase 3 deployment in Europe. The Block IIA is being jointly developed by Raytheon and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; the latter manages "the third-stage rocket motor and nose cone". The U.S. budgeted cost to date is $1.51 billion for the Block IIA.[8]

Operation and performance

The ship's AN/SPY-1 radar finds the ballistic missile target and the Aegis weapon system calculates a solution on the target. When the missile is ordered to launch, the Aerojet MK 72 solid-fuel rocket booster launches the SM-3 out of the ship's Mark 41 vertical launching system (VLS). The missile then establishes communication with the launching ship. Once the booster burns out, it detaches, and the Aerojet MK 104 solid-fuel dual thrust rocket motor (DTRM) takes over propulsion through the atmosphere. The missile continues to receive mid-course guidance information from the launching ship and is aided by GPS data. The ATK MK 136 solid-fueled third-stage rocket motor (TSRM) fires after the second stage burns out, and it takes the missile above the atmosphere (if needed). The TSRM is pulse fired and provides propulsion for the SM-3 until 30 seconds to intercept.

At that point the third stage separates, and the Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead (KW) begins to search for the target using pointing data from the launching ship. The Aerojet throttleable divert and attitude control system (TDACS) allows the kinetic warhead to maneuver in the final phase of the engagement. The KW's sensors identify the target, attempt to identify the most lethal part of the target and steers the KW to that point. If the KW intercepts the target, it provides 130 megajoules (96,000,000 ft·lbf, 31 kg TNT equivalent) of kinetic energy at the point of impact.[9]

Independent studies by some physics experts have raised some significant questions about the missile's success rate in hitting targets.[10][11][12] In a published response, the Defense Department claimed that these findings were invalid, as the analysts used some early launches as their data, when those launches were not significant to the overall program.[13] The DoD stated:

... the first tests [used] prototype interceptors; expensive mock warheads weren't used in the tests since specific lethality capability wasn't a test objective—the objective was to hit the target missile. Contrary to the assertions of Postol and Lewis, all three tests resulted in successful target hits with the unitary ballistic missile target destroyed. This provided empirical evidence that ballistic missile intercepts could in fact be accomplished at sea using interceptors launched from Aegis ships.

After successful completion of these early developmental tests, the test program progressed from just "hitting the target" to one of determining lethality and proving the operationally configured Aegis SM-3 Block I and SM-3 Block 1A system. These tests were the MDA's most comprehensive and realistic test series, resulting in the Operational Test and Evaluation Force’s October 2008 Evaluation Report stating that Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Block 04 3.6 System was operationally effective and suitable for transition to the Navy.

Since 2002, a total of 19 SM-3 missiles have been fired in 16 different test events resulting in 16 intercepts against threat-representative full-size and more challenging subscale unitary and full-size targets with separating warheads. In addition, a modified Aegis BMD/SM-3 system successfully destroyed a malfunctioning U.S. satellite by hitting the satellite in the right spot to negate the hazardous fuel tank at the highest closure rate of any ballistic missile defense technology ever attempted.

The authors of the SM-3 study cited only tests involving unitary targets, and chose not to cite the five successful intercepts in six attempts against separating targets, which, because of their increased speed and small size, pose a much more challenging target for the SM-3 than a much larger unitary target missile. They also did not mention the fact the system is successfully intercepting targets much smaller than probable threat missiles on a routine basis, and have attained test scores that many other Defense Department programs aspire to attain.[13]

In an October 25, 2012 test, a SM-3 Block IA failed to intercept a SRBM.[14] In May 2013 however a SM-3 Block IB was successful against a "complex, separating short-range ballistic missile target with a sophisticated separating mock warhead", making it "the third straight successful test of Raytheon's SM-3 Block IB, after a target was missed on its first intercept attempt in September 2011."[15]

On 4 October 2013, an SM-3 Block IB eliminated the medium-range ballistic missile target at the highest altitude of any test to date. The test was the 26th successful intercept for the SM-3 program and the fifth back-to-back successful test of the SM-3 Block IB missile. Post-mission data showed that the intercept was slightly lower than anticipated, but the systems adjusted to ensure the missile intercepted the target. The SM-3 Block IB is expected to be delivered for service in 2015.[16]

On 6 June 2015, an SM-3 Block IIA was successfully tested. The test evaluated the performance of the missile's nosecone, steering control, and the separation of its booster, and second and third stages. No intercept was planned, and no target missile was launched.[17]

Variants

The SM-3 Block IA version provides an incremental upgrade to improve reliability and maintainability at a reduced cost.

The SM-3 Block IB, due in 2010, offers upgrades which include an advanced two-color infrared seeker, and a 10-thruster solid throttling divert and attitude control system (TDACS/SDACS) on the kill vehicle to give it improved capability against maneuvering ballistic missiles or warheads. Solid TDACS is a joint Raytheon/Aerojet project, but Boeing supplies some components of the kinetic warhead. With Block IB and associated ship-based upgrades, the Navy gains the ability to defend against medium range missiles and some Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles.

SM-3 Block II will widen the missile body to 21 in and decrease the size of the maneuvering fins. It will still fit in Mk41 vertical launch systems, and the missile will be faster and have longer range.

The SM-3 Block IIA is a joint Raytheon/Mitsubishi Heavy Industries project, Block IIA will add a larger diameter kill vehicle that is more maneuverable, and carries another sensor/ discrimination upgrade. It's currently scheduled to debut around 2015, whereupon the Navy will have a weapon that can engage some intercontinental ballistic missiles.[18]

Designation Block Notes
RIM-161A SM-3 Block I Development version. The SM-3 Block I uses the basic SM-2ER Block IVA airframe and propulsion
  • Third-stage rocket motor (Advanced Solid Axial Stage, ASAS, by Alliant Techsystems)
  • GPS/INS guidance section (GAINS, GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System)
  • LEAP (Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile) kinetic warhead (i.e., a non-explosive hit-to-kill warhead)
RIM-161B SM-3 Block IA
  • 1 Color Seeker
  • Solid Divert Attitude Control System (SDACS)
RIM-161C SM-3 Block IB Passed critical design review on 13 July 2009.
  • 2 Color IIR Seeker
  • Throttleable Divert Attitude Control System (TDACS)
  • All Reflective Optics
  • Advanced Signal Processor
RIM-161D SM-3 Block II
  • High Velocity Kinetic Warhead
  • 21-inch (530 mm) diameter first-stage rocket propulsion
None to date SM-3 Block IIA
  • High Divert Kinetic Warhead
  • Advanced Discrimination Seeker

Table sources, reference material:[19][20][21]

A further SM-3 Block IIB was "conceived for fielding in Europe around 2022".[22] In March 2013, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that the development program of the SM-3 Block IIB, also known as the "next generation AEGIS missile" (NGAM), was undergoing restructuring. Under Secretary James N. Miller was quoted saying that "We no longer intend to add them [SM-3 Block IIB] to the mix, but we'll continue to have the same number of deployed interceptors in Poland that will provide coverage for all of NATO in Europe", explaining that Poland is scheduled instead for the deployment of "about 24 SM-3 IIA interceptors – same timeline, same footprint of U.S. forces to support that."[23] A US defense official was quoted saying that "The SM3 IIB phase four interceptors that we are now not going to pursue never existed other than on Power Points; it was a design objective."[24] Daniel Nexon connected the backpedaling of the administration on the Block IIB development with pre-election promises made by Obama to Dmitry Medvedev.[25] Pentagon spokesman George E. Little denied however that Russian objections played any part in the decision.[26]

Operational history

United States

Missile defense

In September 2009, President Obama announced plans to scrap plans for missile defense sites in East Europe, in favor of missile defense systems located on US Navy warships.[27] On 18 September 2009, Russian Prime Minister Putin welcomed Obama's plans for missile defense which may include stationing American Aegis armed warships in the Black Sea.[28][29] This deployment began to occur that same month, with the deployment of Aegis-equipped warships with the RIM-161 SM-3 missile system, which complements the Patriot systems already deployed by American units.[30][31]

In February 2013, a SM-3 intercepted a test IRBM target using tracking data from a satellite for the first time.[32][33]

On 23 April 2014, Raytheon announced that the U.S. Navy and the Missile Defense Agency had started to deploy the SM-3 Block 1B missile operationally. The deployment starts the second phase of the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) adopted in 2009 to protect Europe from Iranian ballistic missile threats.[34]

Anti-satellite

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Further information: Anti-satellite weapon
An SM-3 launched to destroy a failed satellite

On February 14, 2008, U.S. officials announced plans to use a modified SM-3 missile launched from a group of three ships in the North Pacific to destroy the failed American satellite USA-193 at an altitude of 130 nautical miles (240 kilometers) shortly before atmospheric reentry. Officials publicly stated that the intention was to "reduce the danger to human beings" due to the release of toxic hydrazine fuel carried on board,[35][36] but in secret dispatches, US officials indicated that the strike was, in fact, military in nature.[37] A spokesperson stated that software associated with the SM-3 had been modified to enhance the chances of the missile's sensors recognizing that the satellite was its target, since the missile was not designed for ASAT operations.

On February 21, 2008 at 03:26 UTC, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie fired a single SM-3 missile, hit and successfully destroyed the satellite, with a closing velocity of about 22,783 mph (36,667 km/h) while the satellite was 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) above the Pacific Ocean.[38][39] USS Decatur, USS Russell as well as other land, air, sea and space-based sensors were involved in the operation.[40][41]

Japan

In December 2007, Japan conducted a successful test of an SM-3 block IA aboard JDS Kongō against a ballistic missile. This was the first time a Japanese ship was employed to launch the interceptor missile during a test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. In previous tests the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force had provided tracking and communications.[42][43]

In November 2008 a second Japanese-American joint test was performed from JDS Chōkai which was unsuccessful. Following a failure review board, JFTM-3 occurred launching from JDS Myōkō resulting in a successful intercept in October 2009.[44]

October 28, 2010 a successful test was performed from JDS Kirishima. The U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai launched the ballistic missile target. The crew of Kirishima, operating off the coast of Kauai, detected and tracked the target before firing a SM-3 Block IA missile.[45][46]

The Japanese Defense Ministry is considering allocating money in the fiscal 2015 state budget for research on introducing the ground-based SM-3. Japanese ballistic missile defense strategy involves ship-based SM-3s to intercept missiles in space, while land-based Patriot PAC-3 missiles shoot down missiles SM-3s fail to intercept. Due to concern that PAC-3s could not respond to massive numbers of missiles fired simultaneously, and that the Maritime Self-Defense Force needs Aegis destroyers for other missions, basing SM-3s on land would be able to intercept more missiles earlier. With a coverage radius of 500 km (310 mi), three missile posts could defend all of Japan; launch pads can be disassembled, moved to other locations, and rebuilt in 5–10 days. Ground-basing of the SM-3 is dubbed "Aegis ashore."[47]

Poland

On July 3, 2010, Poland and the United States signed an amended agreement for missile defense under whose terms land-based SM-3 systems would be installed in Poland at Redzikowo. This configuration was accepted as a tested and available alternative to missile interceptors that were proposed during the Bush administration but which are still under development. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, present at the signing in Kraków along with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, stressed that the missile defense program was aimed at deterring threats from Iran, and posed no challenge to Russia.[48] As of March 2013, Poland is scheduled to host "about 24 SM3 IIA interceptors"[23] in 2018.[49] This deployment is part of phase 3 of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA).[50]

Romania

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Main article: NATO missile defence system

In 2010/2011 the US government announced plans to station mobile land-based SM-3s (Block IB) in Romania at Deveselu starting in 2015,[51][52] part of phase 2 of EPAA.[50] There are some tentative plans to upgrade them to Block IIA interceptors around 2018 as well (EPAA phase 3). In March 2013, a US defense official was quoted saying "The Romanian cycle will start out in 2015 with the SM-3 IB; that system is in fly testing now and doing quite well. We are very confident it is on track and on budget, with very good test results. We are fully confident the missile we are co-developing with Japan, the SM-3 IIA, will have proved in fly testing, once we get to that phase. Assuming success in that fly testing, then we will have ready the option of upgrading the Romanian site to the SM-3 IIA, either all of the interceptor tubes or we'll have a mix. We have to make that decision. But both options will be there."[24]

The SM-3 Block IIB (currently in development for EPAA phase 4[50]) was considered for deployment to Romania as well (around 2022[22]), but a GAO report released Feb. 11, 2013 found that "SM-3 Block 2B interceptors launched from Romania would have difficulty engaging Iranian ICBMs launched at the United States because of unspecified 'flight path' issues. Poland is a better option, but only if the interceptors can be launched early enough to hit targets in their boost phase, an engagement scenario that presents a whole new set of challenges. The best basing option is in the North Sea, but making the SM-3 Block 2B ship compatible could add significantly to its cost".[53] The troubles of the Block IIB program however do not affect the planned Block IB deployments in Romania.[24][54]

Turkey

The Turkish Navy is considering the SM-3s for its upcoming TF-2000 frigate program. Instead of Aegis guidance, Turkey plans on integrating a more advanced version of Havelsan's Genesis architecture and a phased array radar built by Aselsan.[55] Genesis is currently jointly offered with Raytheon as a C4ISR upgrade for Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates around the world.[56]

Operators

File:RIM-161 operators.png
Map with RIM-161 operators in blue

Current operators

In media

  • In 2012 Japanese anime movie, 009 RE:Cyborg, Zumwalt-class DDG named USS Sentinel, deployed RIM-161 Standards missiles as part of its weapon load. In the film, the Sentinel was hijacked by 00 Cyborgs to use the ship's anti-ballistic missile capacities to shoot down a flight of nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from a rogue US SSBN. The film showcases in detail the SM-3s intercepting inbound missiles in a dramatic sequence.

Gallery

  • SM-3 launch from USS Lake Erie, 2005

  • SM-3-launch-USS Shiloh-20060622.jpg

    SM-3 launch from USS Shiloh, 2006

  • SM-3 launch-USS Decatur.jpg

    SM-3 climb from USS Decatur, 2007

  • SM-3 climbs into the sky for a satellite destruction mission.jpg

    SM-3 climb from USS Lake Erie, 2008

See also

References

  1. ↑ Range and ceiling figures based on absolute 700s capability shown for Block IIA missile in Figure 4 at linked source—"Breaking Defense".[3] Intercept capability against an SS-19 Stiletto launched from Kaliningrad against New York is shown as approximately 1,200 km range and 900 km ceiling for a North Sea intercept. Range and ceiling against a hypothetical Iranian ICBM launched against the same target is shown as approximately 1,200 km and 1,050 km respectively in Figure 3 of the same source for an intercept coming from Redzikowo, Poland.
  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Raytheon Completes SM-3 Test Flight Against Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Raytheon Company, Retrieved 6 September 2011
  5. ↑ Pentagon news briefing of February 14, 2008 (video, transcript): although no name for the satellite is given, the launch date of December 14, 2006 is stated
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ MDA Still Sees 2018 Deployment In Restructured SM-3 IIA Plan
  9. ↑ Raytheon's SM-3 fact sheet
  10. ↑ William J. Broad and David E. Sanger, "Review Cites Flaws in U.S. Antimissile Program", New York Times, May 17, 2010.
  11. ↑ Clay Dillow, "Obama's 'Proven' SM-3 Missile Interceptor May Only Succeed 20 Percent of the Time, Say Physicists", Popular Science, May 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ George N. Lewis and Theodore A. Postol, "A Flawed and Dangerous U.S. Missile Defense Plan", May 5, 2010, Arms Control Association.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Raytheon's newest SM-3 intercepts medium-range ballistic missile target at highest altitude to date. Navyrecognition.com. 4 October 2013.
  17. ↑ http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/07/usa-japan-missiledefense-idUSL1N0YT08K20150607
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Block IB Completes Major Development Milestone
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Peter Baker, "White House Scraps Bush's Approach to Missile Shield" New York Times, 9/18/09.
  28. ↑ "Russia's Putin praises Obama's missile defense decision", Los Angeles Times, 9/19/09.
  29. ↑ Tom Ricks, "No missile defense in Eastern Europe", Foreign Policy, 9/17/09.
  30. ↑ William H. McMichael, "Obama sharply alters missile defense plans" Navy Times, Sep 19, 2009.
  31. ↑ Article on Sm-3 missile system, strategypage.com, 10/4/09.
  32. ↑ "Navy Uses Raytheon SM-3 and Space Sensor to Destroy Missile Target."
  33. ↑ "Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Intercepts Target Using Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators Data."
  34. ↑ U.S. Deploys First SM-3 Block IB Missile - News.USNI.org, 23 April 2014
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ MDA press release. 17 December 2007.
  44. ↑ JFTM-2 & 3 dates
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Defense ministry mulls introducing ground-based SM-3 interceptor missiles - Mainichi.jp, 12 August 2014
  48. ↑ US, Poland Sign Revised Missile Defense Accord http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/library/news/2010/space-100703-voa01.htm
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 50.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Romania Agrees to Host Ballistic Missile Interceptor http://www.america.gov/st/eur-english/2010/February/20100204155405esnamfuak0.8593866.html
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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