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RIM-161 Standard Missile 3
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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. The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
ship's AN/SPY-1 radar finds the ballistic missile target and the Aegis weapon system calculates a solution on the target.
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Encyclopedia
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. The SM-3 is primarily used and tested by the United States Navy and also operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
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, 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 (96,000,000 ft·lbf) of kinetic energy at the point of impact.
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 Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force had provided tracking and communications .
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. A spokesperson stated that software associated with the SM-3 had 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, with a closing velocity of about 22,783 mph (36,667 km/h) while the satellite was 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) above the Pacific Ocean. USS Decatur, USS Russell as well as other land, air, sea and space-based sensors were involved in the operation.
Variants
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| Standard Missile Three | Anti-Ballistic Missile | Comments: |
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| 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 | |
Gallery
Image:Standard Missile III SM-3 RIM-161 test launch 04017005.jpg|SM-3 launch from the USS Lake Erie, 2005
Image:SM-3-launch-USS Shiloh-20060622.jpg|SM-3 launch from the USS Shiloh, 2006
Image:SM-3 launch-USS Decatur.jpg|SM-3 climb from the USS Decatur, 2007
Image:SM-3_climb_into_the_sky_for_a_satellite_destruction_mission.jpg|SM-3 climb from the USS Lake Erie, 2008
Image:KW FTR1.jpg| used in test FTR-1a.
External links
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