Naval Ships and Weapons

SM-2 Medium Range (MR) Missile

The SM-2 (MR) missile is specifically designed for the Aegis Combat System
and the MK-41 Vertical Launch System. It is the primary Anti-Air-Warfare (AAW)
missile currently in service with the U.S. Navy's Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers
and Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers.

The SM-2 (MR) introduced inertial and command mid-course guidance. The missile's
autopilot is programmed to fly the most efficient path to the target and can receive
course corrections from the ground. Target illumination for semi-active homing is
needed only for a few seconds in the terminal phase of the interception.

There are currently three active blocks of the SM-2 (MR) missile as follows:

* Block IIIA - used by Spanish, Netherlands, and South Korean vessels, along with
Japanese Maritime Defense Forces.

* Block IIIB - used by the U.S. Navy aboard all Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers
and Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers.

* Block IIIC - in active development; adds the active terminal homing seeker
from the SM-6 missile to the airframe of the SM-2 (MR) thereby allowing the
incorporation of the Cooperative Engagement Capability offered by the E-2C
Hawkeye and other similarly capable aircraft. It also adds upgraded ASuW
capability of the SM-6 to the SM-2 Block IIIC.

The Block III missiles differ from earlier blocks by the addition of the MK 45
MOD 9 target detecting device, for improved performance against low altitude
targets.

Block IIIB missiles have a dual mode seeker which includes either active
infrared terminal homing or semi-active terminal homing. The dual seeker
is intended for use in high-ECM environments, against targets over the
horizon or with a small radar cross section.

General Characteristics: SM-2 (MR) Missile

Mass:
* 1,558 lb. (707 kg)

Length:
*15 ft. 6. in. (4.72 m)

Diameter:
* 13.5 in (340 mm)

Warhead (Conventional):
* blast-fragmentation

Fuze Mechanism:
* radar and contact fuze

Engine:
* dual thrust solid-fuel rocket

Wingspan:
* 3 ft. 6 in. (1.07 m)

Operational Range:
* 40-90 nmi. (74-167 km)

Flight Ceiling:
* 80,100 ft. (> 24,400 m)

Maximum Speed
Mach 3.5 (4,287.7 km/h; 2,664.2 mph; 1.19102 km/s)

Guidance:
* Block IIIA Command and Inertial midcourse guidance with monopulse
semi-active radar homing in the terminal phase of the interception.

* Block IIIB missiles have a dual mode seeker which includes either
active infrared terminal homing or semi-active terminal homing.

* Block IIIC missiles add active terminal seeker guidance using the SM-6 seeker.

Launch Platforms
* Surface Ships