RIM-161 Standard Missile 3

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RIM-161 SM-3
A RIM-161 Standard Missile (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie
Basic data
Function Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System
Manufacturer Raytheon
Unit cost $9.5 million
Entered service
General characteristics
References [1][2][3]
Engine
 First stage MK 72 Booster, solid-fuel, Aerojet
 Second stage MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), solid-fuel, Aerojet
 Third stage MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM), solid-fuel, ATK
 Fourth stage Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS), ATK
Launch mass
Length 6.55 m (21 ft, 6 in)
Diameter 0.34 m (13.5 in)
Wingspan 1.57 m (61.8 in)
Speed
Range >500 km (270 nautical miles)
Service ceiling >250 km (150 miles)
Warhead Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead
Guidance GPS/INS/semi-active radar homing/passive LWIR seeker (KW)

The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a ship based anti-ballistic missile used by the Aegis 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 of Low Earth orbit.[4] The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Contents

[edit] Operation

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 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 and attempt to identify the most lethal part of the target and aim the KW at that point. If the KW intercepts the target, it provides 130 megajoules of kinetic energy at the point of impact.[5]

[edit] 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 the Japanese Navy had provided tracking and communications [6][7].

[edit] 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 the North Pacific to destroy the failed American spy satellite USA 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 toxic hydrazine fuel carried onboard.[8] [9] 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 kmh) while the satellite was 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) above the Pacific Ocean.[10][11] USS Decatur, USS Russell as well as other land, air, sea and space-based sensors were involved in the operation.[12][13]

[edit] Variants

Standard Missile Three [14] Anti-Ballistic Missile Comments:
RIM-161A SM-3 Block I, Development Version
RIM-161B SM-3 Block IA 1 Color Seeker, Solid Divert Attitude Control System (SDACS)
None to date SM-3 Block IB 2 Color IIR Seeker and Throttleable Divert Attitude Control System (TDACS)
None to date SM-3 Block IIA Long Range SM-3, Advanced Kinetic Warhead and 21-inch (530 mm) Propulsion

[edit] Gallery

SM-3 launch from the USS Lake Erie, 2005

SM-3 launch from the USS Shiloh, 2006

SM-3 climb from the USS Decatur, 2007

SM-3 climb from the USS Lake Erie, 2008

Kinetic Warheadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projectile#Kinetic_projectiles used in test FTR-1a.

[edit] References

  1. ^ United States Navy. US Navy Fact File:Standard Missile. October 11, 2002. Accessed June 5, 2006.
  2. ^ Raytheon SM-3 Fact Sheet
  3. ^ Astronautix.com Standard SM-3
  4. ^ Pentagon news briefing of February 14, 2008 (video, transcript): although no name for the satellite is given, the launch date of 2006-12-14 is stated
  5. ^ Raytheon SM-3
  6. ^ AFP: Japan shoots down test missile in space: defence minister (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  7. ^ MDA press release. 17 December 2007.
  8. ^ Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press (2008-02-15). US to Try to Shoot Down Spy Satellite. Washington Post.
  9. ^ DefenseLink News Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Deputy National Security Advisor Jeffrey, Gen. Cartwright and NASA Administrator Griffin (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  10. ^ Satellite Shoot Down: How It Will Work. Space.com (February 19, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
  11. ^ Navy Hits Satellite With Heat-Seeking Missile. Space.com (February 21, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-21.
  12. ^ U.S. Department of Defense (February 20, 2008). "DoD Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  13. ^ U.S. Navy (February 20, 2008). "Navy Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-02-20.
  14. ^ RIM-161 SM-3 (AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense) (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-22.

[edit] External links

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