- RIM-161 Standard Missile 3
Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=RIM-161 SM-3
caption=A RIM-161 Standard Missile (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis cruiser USS "Lake Erie"
origin=USA
type=Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
used_by=
manufacturer=Raytheon
unit_cost=$9.5 million [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2008/02/dod-contracts_3709.htm DoD contract announcement, February 14, 2008, via GlobalSecurity.org] ]
propellant=Stage1: MK 72 Booster, solid-fuel,Aerojet
Stage2: MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), solid-fuel,Aerojet
Stage3: MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM), solid-fuel, ATK
Stage4: Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS), ATK
production_date=
service=
engine=
weight=
length=6.55 m (21 ft, 6 in)
height=
diameter=0.34 m (13.5 in)
wingspan=1.57 m (61.8 in)
speed=
vehicle_range=>500 km (270 nautical miles)
ceiling=>250 km (150 miles)
altitude=
filling=Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead
guidance=GPS/INS/semi-active radar homing /passiveLWIR seeker (KW)
detonation=
launch_platform=The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a ship based
anti-ballistic missile used by theAegis Ballistic Missile Defense System . 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 ofLow Earth orbit .Pentagon news briefing of February 14, 2008 ( [http://mfile.akamai.com/18566/wmv/etouchsyst2.download.akamai.com/18355/wm.nasa-global/Administrator/pentagon20080214.asx video] , [http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4145 transcript] ): although no name for the satellite is given, the launch date of 2006-12-14 is stated] The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by theUnited States Navy and also operated by theJapan Maritime Self-Defense Force and theRoyal Netherlands Navy .Operation
The ship's
AN/SPY-1 radar finds the ballistic missile target and theAegis weapon system calculates a solution on the target. When the missile is ordered to launch, theAerojet MK 72 solid-fuel rocket booster launches the SM-3 out of the ship's Mark 41vertical launching system (VLS). The missile then establishes communication with the launching ship. Once the booster burns out, it detaches, and theAerojet MK 104solid-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 byGPS 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 theLightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead (KW) begins to search for the target using pointing data from the launching ship. The ATK solid divert and attitude control system (SDACS) 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 of kinetic energy at the point of impact. [ [http://www.raytheon.com/products/stellent/groups/public/documents/content/cms01_055769.pdf Raytheon's SM-3 fact sheet] ]Japan
In December 2007, Japan conducted a successful test of an SM-3 block IA aboard JDS "Kongo" 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 theJapan Maritime Self-Defence Force had provided tracking and communications [cite web | title = AFP: Japan shoots down test missile in space: defence minister | url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hYKNf5janYHfOLxdsRH__KSNXVNw | accessdate = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 ] [ [http://www.mda.mil/mdalink/pdf/07news0053.pdf MDA press release] .17 December 2007 .] .Anti-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 theNorth Pacific to destroy the failed American spy satelliteUSA 193 at an altitude of 130 nautical miles (240 kilometers) shortly before atmospheric reentry, stating that the intention was to "reduce the danger to human beings" due to the release of toxichydrazine fuel carried onboard. [cite web | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021500307.html | publisher =Washington Post | title = US to Try to Shoot Down Spy Satellite | author = Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press | date = 2008-02-15] [cite web | title = DefenseLink News Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Deputy National Security Advisor Jeffrey, Gen. Cartwright and NASA Administrator Griffin | url=http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4145 | accessdate = 2008-02-22 | year = 2008 ] A spokesperson stated that software associated with the SM-3 has been modified to enhance the chances of the missile's sensors recognizing that the satellite is its target, since the missile was not designed for ASAT operations.On
February 21 ,2008 at 3:26 am (UTC) the USS "Lake Erie", a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, fired a single SM-3 missile, hit and successfully destroyed the satellite USA 193 with a velocity of about 22,783 mph (36,667 km/h) while the satellite was 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) above the Pacific Ocean. [cite web|title= Satellite Shoot Down: How It Will Work|url=http://www.space.com/news/080219-satellite-shootdown.html|publisher=Space.com |date=February 19 ,2008 |accessdate=2008-02-21] [cite web|title=Navy Hits Satellite With Heat-Seeking Missile|url=http://www.space.com/news/080220-satellite-hit.html|publisher=Space.com |date=February 21 ,2008 |accessdate=2008-02-21] USS "Decatur", USS "Russell" as well as other land, air, sea and space-based sensors were involved in the operation.cite press release|title=DoD Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite|url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11704|date=February 20 ,2008 |release=No. 0139-08|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|accessdate=2008-02-20] [cite press release|title= Navy Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=35114|publisher=U.S. Navy|date=February 20 ,2008 |release=NNS080220-19|accessdate=2008-02-20]Variants
Gallery
USS "Lake Erie", 2005
">
USS "Shiloh", 2006USS "Decatur", 2007
ml|Projectile|Kinetic_projectiles|Kinetic Warhead used in test FTR-1a.
References
External links
Wikinewshas|related news|*
*
* [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1200&ct=2 U.S. Navy Fact File: Standard Missile]
* [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-161.html Designation-systems - RIM-161 Standard SM-3]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/sm3.htm GlobalSecurity.org - RIM-161 Standard SM-3]
* [http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/stardsm3.htm Astronautix.com - Raytheon RIM-161 Standard SM-3]
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