RIM-161 Standard Missile 3

RIM-161
SM-3
A RIM-161 standard missile 3 (SM-3) is launched from the Aegis cruiser USS Lake Erie
TypeKinetic anti ballistic missile (Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System)
Place of originUnited States, Japan (Block IIA)
Service history
In service2014–present (Block IB)
Used byUnited States Navy
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Republic of Korea Navy
Aegis Ashore:
Romania
Poland
Production history
ManufacturerRaytheon, Aerojet, (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Block IIA)
Unit cost
  • US$9–25 million (2011)
  • US$18.4m(FY2018)
  • US$11.83m(FY2021)
Specifications
Mass1.5 t
Length6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
Diameter34.3 cm (13.5 in) for Block I missiles
53.3 cm (21.0 in) for Block II
Wingspan1.57 m (62 in)
WarheadLightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) kinetic warhead

PropellantStage 1: Mk 72 booster, solid-fuel, Aerojet
Stage 2: MK 104 Dual Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM), solid-fuel, Aerojet
Stage 3: MK 136 Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM), solid-fuel, ATK
Stage 4: Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS), Aerojet
Operational
range
Block IA/B: 900–1,200 km (560–750 mi)
Block IIA: 1,200 km range and flight ceiling 900 – 1,050 km (depending on the type of target)
Maximum speed 3 km/s (Mach 8.8) Block IA/B
4.5 km/s (Mach 13.2) Block IIA
Guidance
system
GPS/INS/semi-active radar homing/passive LWIR infrared homing seeker (KW)

The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a ship-based surface-to-air missile used by the United States Navy to intercept ballistic missiles as a part of 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. The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.