The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has successfully completed testing of an improved Raytheon-built Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB third-stage rocket motor.
During the testing, two SM-3 Block IBs were launched from the USS Hopper at the US Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. Target intercepts were not included in the testing.
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Raytheon Air and Missile Defense vice-president Dr Mitch Stevison said: "Raytheon is continually working to increase the overall reliability of the highly dependable SM-3, reflecting the MDA’s commitment to mature this capability for the defence of our nation, deployed forces, and our allies.
"SM-3 continues to demonstrate its versatility and reliability, providing an extraordinary level of protection from sea or land."
The test validated in-flight performance of the upgrade has already passed ground testing. The upgrade will be integrated into the current missile production line.
The SM-3 has the ability to destroy incoming ballistic missile threats in space using sheer impact, equivalent to a 10t truck travelling at 600mph, according to Raytheon.
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By GlobalDataThe SM-3 Block IB, when deployed at sea and ashore, uses short bursts of precision propulsion to direct the missile towards incoming targets.
To date, more than 250 SM-3s have been delivered.
SM-3 Block IIA is on track for deployment at sea and ashore in Poland in 2018.
Image: During the testing, two SM-3 Block IBs were launched from the USS Hopper. Photo: courtesy of Raytheon Company.
