SM-3
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: via Andreas Parsch
American surface-to-air missile with anti-ballistic missile capability using the LEAP homing vehicle for use by AEGIS naval vessels. Modification for anti-satellite use demonstrated in 2008.
The SM-3 was a derivative of the Standard SM-2ER Block IV using the LEAP (Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile) homing vehicle to give AEGIS naval vessels theater anti-ballistic missile capability. The two rocket stages of the SM-2ER Block IV were supplemented by a third stage, the Alliant Techsystems Advanced Solid Axial Stage (ASAS). A GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System was used to guide the missile to near the predicted impact point, with the LEAP making the final hit-to-kill intercept. AEGIS launching ships required updates to computer hardware and software in order to operate the missile.
The LEAP and its Forward-Looking Infrared sensor were first tested in four Terrier/LEAP launches between 1992 to 1995. However both intercepts attempted in the series were failures. The first launch of a complete SM-3 missile came in September 1999. In January 2002 the first successful intercept of an Aries ballistic missile target was achieved. Testing thereafter proved the capability of the missile against more difficult targets and scenarios. In 2008 the system was modified in a matter of weeks to successfully shoot down an errant American satellite.
Maximum range: 500 km (310 mi). Standard warhead: LEAP. Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Cruise engine: MK 104. Maximum speed: 9,600 kph (5,900 mph). Initial Operational Capability: 2006.
Related
- Family
- anti-ballistic, ship-launched
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- Barking Sands, Barking Sands KP, Barking Sands POA
- Agency
- Raytheon
Chronology
38 events
1999 September 24
Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-67. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2000 July 1
Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3. FAILURE: Failure.2001 January 26
04:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2002 January 26
02:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2002 June 14
01:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2002 November 22
00:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2003 June 18
23:17 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2003 December 11
18:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2005 February 24
21:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2005 November 18
18:16 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2006 March 8
08:45 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2006 June 22
22:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-67. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2007 April 26
21:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2007 June 23
02:44 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: DDG-73. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2007 August 31
Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands KP. Launch Platform: AEGIS. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2007 November 7
04:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2007 November 7
04:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2007 December 17
22:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: DDG-173. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2008 February 21
03:26 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- US shoots down failed USA 193 satellite. - .
Nation: USA.
Agency: USN.
Type: ABM. Decay Date: 2008-02-29 . USAF Sat Cat: 29651 .
The classifed NRO USA 193 spacecraft, launched in 2006, suffered a complete failure of its on-board propulsion system, putting the satellite in a rapidly-decaying orbit. The Pentagon said that the hydrazine propellant aboard consituted a risk and announced they would shoot the satellite down. The real objective may have been to demonstrated US antisatellite capability after a Chinese test in 2007. In any case, on 21 February 2008 the satellite was down to a 242 km x 257 km orbit. At 03:26 GMT an SM-3 missile was fired from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie stationed west of Hawaii, to intercept the satellite. The hit-to-kill warhead successfully rammed the satellite, breaking it up into 153 catalogued items of debris with perigees of 170-250 km and apogees of up to 2700 km.
2008 November 1
Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-60. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2008 November 1
Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2008 November 20
02:24 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-176. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2009 July 31
03:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- Aegis FTM-17 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 160 km (90 mi). Interceptor.
2009 October 28
04:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: Barking Sands POA. Launch Platform: DDG-175. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.2010 October 30
03:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-174. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- Aegis KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Successful ABM test from Japanese Aegis ship..
2011 April 15
07:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-77. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- FTM-15 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Interceptor..
2012 October 25
Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Platform: DDG-62. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- Aegis FTI-01 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Interceptor mission, part of the FTI-01 missile defence experiment. Fired from DDG-62 USS Fitzgerald off Kwajaelein; failed to intercept the ARAV-B launched from Wake Island..
2013 February 13
09:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: CG-70. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- FTM-20 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). ABM Interceptor.
2013 September 10
Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Pad: USS Decatur. Launch Platform: DDG-73. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- Aegis KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Anti-ballistic missile.
2015 June 6
Launch Site: San Nicolas. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- CTV-01 - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Test flight..
2015 October 20
Launch Site: South Uist. Launch Platform: DDG-71. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- Aegis KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Interceptor mission. Impacted North Atlantic..
2015 December 8
Launch Site: San Nicolas. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- CTV-02 - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Test mission. Impacted in Point Mugu Sea Range..
2015 December 10
Launch Site: Barking Sands. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- Aegis KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). ABM Interceptor mission..
2017 February 4
08:33 GMT - . Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Platform: DDG-53. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- SFTM-1 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). ABM Intercept mission. Impacted SFTM-1..
2017 June 22
05:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Pacific Ocean. Launch Platform: DDG-53. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- SFTM-02 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). Interceptor. (Failed?)..
2018 January 31
Launch Site: Barking Sands. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- FTM-29 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Interceptor. Intercept (failed)..
2018 October 26
Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Platform: DDG-113. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- FTM-45 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi). Interceptor. FTM-45 intercept.
2018 December 10
Launch Site: Barking Sands. LV Family: Standard-ER. Launch Vehicle: SM-3.- FTI-03 KV - . Nation: USA. Type: ABM. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). Interceptor. FTI-03 interceptor.