A Navy Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) extended-range anti-air missile for the first time successfully shot down a target missile Tuesday, Raytheon [RTN] said.
The test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., saw a BQM-74 aerial drone launched.
Then the Standard Missile 6 began an intercept mission using the newly-developed SM-6 active seeker. It was launched from the Navy Desert Ship interceptor testing asset.
The active seeker autonomously acquired and engaged the target using the Navy legacy command system, resulting in a direct hit.
This launch demonstrates the first successful integration of the Navy active missile technology into the weapon system to provide for both near-term advanced anti-air warfare and future over-the-horizon capability, Raytheon stated.
The SM-6 is being developed by the company to meet the requirement for an extended range anti-air warfare missile. The weapon is expected to deploy in 2011 to shield against fixed and rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, while delivering a transformational over-the-horizon counter to the cruise missile threat.
SM-6 employs the Standard Missile-2 Block IVA airframe and the newly developed active sensor. The SM-6 also will aid the Navy sea-based terminal ballistic missile defense requirement.