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61-512: The Standard missile program was started in 1963 to produce a family of missiles to replace existing guided missiles used by the Terrier, Talos, and Tartar guided missile systems. The intention was to produce a new generation of guided missiles that could be retrofit to existing guided missile systems. The RIM-66A is the medium ranged version of the Standard missile and was initially developed as

122-652: A SM-1MR Block VIA RIM-66E-05 supposedly against an UAV operated in support of the Libyan National Army . The missile missed and landed near al-Ajaylat , just southwest of Sabratha . On 19 October 2023, the USS Carney fired SM-2s to shoot down three land-attack cruise missiles and eight drones launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. The interceptions occurred over the Red Sea ; although

183-562: A de-escalatory posture, giving Iran a way out and avoiding further combat. Iran took the offer and combat ceased, though both sides remained on alert, and near-clashes occurred throughout the night and into the next day as the forces steamed within the Gulf. Two days after the battle, Lynde McCormick was directed to escort a U.S. oiler out through the Strait of Hormuz, while a Scandinavian-flagged merchant remained near, probably for protection. While

244-570: A desire for de-escalation. The other group, which included the guided missile cruiser USS  Wainwright and frigates USS  Simpson and USS  Bagley , attacked the Sirri oil platform. Navy SEALs were assigned to capture, occupy, and destroy the Sirri platform but because it had already been heavily damaged by naval gunfire, an assault was not required. Iran responded by dispatching Boghammar speedboats to attack various targets in

305-607: A dual semi-active/infrared seeker for 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. The seeker was originally developed for the canceled AIM-7R Sparrow air-to-air missile . All USN Block III and IIIA missiles are to be upgraded to Block IIIB. Block IIIA missiles are operated by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force on its Kongō -class and Atago -class Aegis destroyers. Aegis equipped vessels in

366-401: A new autopilot giving it inertial guidance in all phases of flight except for the terminal intercept where semi-active radar homing is still used. This version is no longer in service; remaining missiles have either been remanufactured into later models or have been put in storage. The Block II missile was introduced in 1983 with a new rocket motor for longer range and a new warhead. The RIM-66G

427-552: A replacement for the earlier RIM-24C as part of the Mk74 "Tartar" Guided Missile Fire Control System . It used the same fuselage as the earlier Tartar missile, for easier use with existing launchers and magazines for that system. The RIM-66A/B while looking like the earlier RIM-24C on the exterior is a different missile internally with redesigned electronics and a more reliable homing system and fuze that make it more capable than its predecessor. The RIM-66A/B Standard MR, (SM-1MR Block I to V)

488-509: A separate track illumination radar (STIR), weapon control consoles, a computer complex, and ancillary equipment. It was installed on numerous US cruiser and destroyers in the 1960s through early 1990s such as the California -class cruisers , Virginia -class cruisers , Kidd -class destroyers and the Charles F. Adams -class destroyers . It is also in use in other countries such as

549-452: A surface-to-air missile at several A-6Es from VA-95. The A-6Es then dropped a Mark 82 laser-guided bomb into Sabalan ' s stack , crippling the ship and leaving it burning. The Iranian frigate, stern partially submerged, was taken in tow by an Iranian tug, and was repaired and eventually returned to service. VA-95's aircraft, as ordered, did not continue the attack. The A-6 pilot who crippled Sabalan , Lieutenant Commander James Engler,

610-420: Is a modular design concept with different versions that vary in size and weight. There are three lengths for this VLS: 209 in (530 cm) for the self-defense version, 266 in (680 cm) for the tactical version, and 303 in (770 cm) for the strike version. The empty weight for an 8-cell module is 26,800 lb (12,200 kg) for the self-defense version, 29,800 lb (13,500 kg) for

671-524: Is an air defense system developed by the United States Navy to defend warships from air attack. Since its introduction the system has been improved and sold to several United States allies. The Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System is a component of the overall Tartar Weapons System. It consists of the target illuminators and associated computer systems needed to fire a missile once a target has been identified. It operates in conjunction with

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732-637: Is fired, the FCS provides CW illumination of the target and postfiring evaluation. There are two major families of Tartar FCS: the Mk. 74 and the Mk. 92. The latter is used on the Oliver Hazard Perry -class frigate and the former is used everywhere else. Each Mk 74 includes the AN/SPG-51 , a director Mk 73, a computer system, and associated consoles. The Mk. 92 contains a combined antenna system (CAS),

793-622: Is for the Aegis combat system and the Mk26 missile launcher. The RIM-66H is for Aegis and the Mk41 vertical launcher. The RIM-66J is the version for the New Threat Upgrade. Block II missiles are no longer manufactured, and have been withdrawn from service. The remainder have either been put in storage, scrapped for spare parts, or remanufactured into later models. The RIM-66M is the version of

854-503: Is inefficient at shooting down drones, causing concerns about expending them against such cheap targets and depleting a ship's limited VLS capacity. In February 2024 in a friendly fire incident in the Red Sea , two SM-2s were launched by German frigate Hessen at a US MQ-9 Reaper drone. Both SM-2s crashed into the sea because of "a technical defect". The Standard missile is designated by blocks depending upon their technological package. The First Standard missiles entered service in

915-502: 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. This capability enables the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels to time share illumination radars, greatly increasing the number of targets that can be engaged in quick succession. The SM-1 and SM-2 were continuously upgraded through Blocks. In

976-681: The Iran–Iraq War . The explosion pierced the hull and broke the keel of the Samuel B. Roberts , which nearly sank but was saved by its crew with no loss of life. After the serial numbers of mines recovered in the area were found to match those of mines seized on an Iranian barge the previous September, U.S. military officials planned a retaliatory operation. On 18 April, the attack destroyed, damaged, or sank two Iranian oil platforms , three warships, several armed boats, and two fighter jets. Two U.S. Marine aviators died when their helicopter crashed into

1037-780: The Persian Gulf , including the American-flagged supply ship Willie Tide , the Panamanian-flagged oil rig Scan Bay and the British tanker York Marine . All of these vessels were damaged in different degrees. The targets were part of the Mubarak off-shore Saudi oil field. After the attacks, A-6E Intruder aircraft launched from USS Enterprise were directed to the speedboats by an American frigate. The two VA-95 aircraft dropped Rockeye cluster bombs on

1098-759: The Spanish and South Korean navies use it as well. The Dutch and German Navies have added it to the Anti-Air Warfare system, which uses the Thales Group Active Phased Array Radar S-1850M and Smart-L radar. South Korean KDX-II destroyers use the block IIIA with a New Threat Upgrade compatible guided missile fire control system. Block III variants for Aegis and arm launchers are designated RIM-66L. Block III missiles for New Threat Upgrade systems are designated RIM-66K. Block IIIB missiles were not produced for

1159-532: The US Navy , RIM-66 Standard was deployed on ships of the following classes, replacing RIM-24 Tartar in some cases: RIM-66 has also been widely exported and is in service in other navies worldwide. Table sources, reference material: The RGM-165 LASM, also given the designation SM-4, was intended as means to give long-range precision fires in support of the US Marine Corps . Intended as an adaptation of

1220-483: The fleet escorts of the French Navy Kersaint , Bouvet , Du Chayla and Dupetit-Thouars , and was also in use on Cassard and Jean Bart . Starting in the middle 1960s a new family of guided missiles referred to as the Standard missiles were developed to replace the poor performing missiles used by existing fire control systems. The RIM-66A/B Standard replaced the earlier RIM-24C Tartar used by

1281-515: The inertial guidance systems on the SM-2 and time share illumination radars for semi-active homing in the terminal phase of the intercept, increasing the number of targets the Tartar system could attack at the same time. The New Threat Upgrade Tartar ships could function nearly as well as Aegis Combat System equipped vessels, except for dealing with saturation missile attacks . The NTU still requires

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1342-525: The A-6Es, which replied with two Harpoon missiles and four laser-guided Skipper missiles. Joseph Strauss fired a Harpoon missile. Most or all of the shots scored hits, causing heavy damage and fires. Fires blazing on Sahand ' s decks eventually reached its munitions magazines, causing an explosion that sank it. Late in the day, the Iranian frigate IRIS  Sabalan departed from its berth and fired

1403-547: The AN/SPG-51 radar to acquire a lock on the target and illuminate it just before intercept. Operation Praying Mantis Iraqi invasion of Iran (1980) Stalemate (1981) Iranian offensives to free Iranian territory (1981–82) Iranian offensives in Iraq (1982–84) Iranian offensives in Iraq (1985–87) Final stages (1988) Tanker War International incidents Operation Praying Mantis

1464-601: The Gulf. The attack pressured Iran to agree to a ceasefire with Iraq later that summer, ending the eight-year Iran-Iraq War. Later, Iran sued the United States, claiming that the attacks had breached the countries' 1955 Treaty of Amity . On 6 November 2003, the International Court of Justice dismissed the claim but ruled that Operation Praying Mantis and the previous October's Operation Nimble Archer "cannot be justified as measures necessary to protect

1525-796: The Hughes Missile Systems Company. Hughes formed a joint venture with Raytheon called Standard Missile Company (SMCo). Hughes Missile Systems was eventually sold to Raytheon making it the sole contractor. Due to the end of the US Navy's support of the SM-1 missile system, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has taken over support for the system in Taiwanese service including production of replacement rocket motors. The same approach

1586-520: The International Court of Justice dismissed a claim by Iran and a counterclaim by the United States' for reparations for breach of a 1955 'Treaty of Amity' between the two countries. In short, the court rejected both claim and counterclaim because the 1955 treaty protected only "freedom of trade and navigation between the territories of the parties" and because of the US trade embargo on Iran at

1647-683: The Iranian Kaman -class missile boat Joshan was disabled by RIM-66s. On 9 October 2016, the Arleigh Burke -class destroyer USS  Mason fired two SM-2s, as well as one Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile , at two incoming Houthi anti-ship missiles off the coast of Yemen, one of which struck the water on its own. It is unknown if the SM-2s were responsible for intercepting the second cruise missile. On 12 October, Mason again came under attack by an anti-ship missile, and an SM-2 she fired

1708-458: The Iranian government. The U.S. side suffered two casualties, the crew of a Marine Corps AH-1T Sea Cobra attack helicopter. The Cobra, attached to USS Trenton , was flying reconnaissance from Wainwright and crashed sometime after dark about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Abu Musa island. The bodies of the lost personnel were recovered by Navy divers in May, and the wreckage of the helicopter

1769-720: The LAMPS helicopter detachment (HSL-44 Det 5) from USS Samuel B. Roberts , was ordered to destroy the guns and other military facilities on the Sassan oil platform. At 8 am, the SAG commander, who was also the commander of Destroyer Squadron 9, ordered the Merrill to radio a warning to the occupants of the platform, telling them to abandon it. The SAG waited 20 minutes, then opened fire. The oil platform fired back with twin-barrelled 23 mm ZU-23 guns. The SAG's guns eventually disabled some of

1830-541: The Netherlands, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. Production had stopped in 2013 from lack of international orders. New deliveries of SM-2 Block IIIA and IIIB missiles were scheduled to begin in 2020. The United States Navy is committed to keeping the Standard Missile 2 medium-range viable until 2035. Standard missiles were constructed by General Dynamics Pomona Division until 1992, when it became part of

1891-514: The New Threat Upgrade. Blocks IIIA and IIIB are the current production versions. The Thales Nederland STIR 1.8 and 2.4 fire control systems are also supported. The Naval Sea Systems Command has announced its intentions to develop an active terminal homing version of the SM-2 MR missile. This will incorporate the active homing seeker of the SM-6 ERAM into the existing SM-2 airframe. Additionally

RIM-66 Standard - Misplaced Pages Continue

1952-523: The RIM-66, it retained the original MK 125 warhead and MK 104 rocket motor, with the radar seeker replaced by GPS/INS guidance. While test fired in 1997 using three modified RIM-66K SM-2MR Block III missiles, with 800 missiles set for replacement and IOC expected for 2003/2004, it was cancelled in 2002 due to limited capabilities against mobile or hardened targets. Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System The Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System

2013-695: The Standard missile two medium-range (SM-2MR) currently in service with the USN aboard Ticonderoga -class cruisers and Arleigh Burke -class destroyers . The missile is specifically designed for the Aegis Combat System and the Mk41 Vertical launch system . 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. The Block IIIB missile additionally has

2074-421: The USN in 1967. Blocks I, II, and III were preliminary versions. Block IV was the production version. This missile was a replacement for the earlier RIM-24C Tartar missile. The RIM-66B introduced changes that resulted in higher reliability. A new faster reacting autopilot, a more powerful dual thrust rocket motor, and a new warhead were added. Many RIM-66A missiles were re-manufactured into RIM-66B. The RIM-66E

2135-493: The United States. On 3 July 1988, Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 , a commercial airliner flying a scheduled route, killing all 290 crew and passengers. The U.S. government claimed that the crew of Vincennes mistook the Iranian Airbus for an attacking F-14 fighter. The Iranian government alleged that Vincennes knowingly shot down a civilian aircraft and called for the deaths of its crew. On 6 November 2003

2196-548: The ZU-23s, and platform occupants radioed a request for a cease-fire. The SAG complied. After a tugboat carrying more personnel had cleared the area, the ships resumed exchanging fire with the remaining ZU-23s, and ultimately disabled them. AH-1 Cobra helicopters completed the destruction of enemy resistance. The Marines boarded the platform and recovered a single wounded survivor, who was transported to Bahrain, some small arms, and intelligence. The Marines planted explosives, left

2257-563: The aircraft carrier USS  Enterprise , and her cruiser escort, USS  Truxtun . The action began with coordinated strikes by two surface groups. One surface action group, or SAG, consisting of the destroyers USS  Merrill (including embarked LAMPS Mk I helicopter detachment HSL-35 Det 1 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 35 ) and USS  Lynde McCormick , plus the amphibious transport dock USS  Trenton and its embarked Marine air-ground task force (Contingency MAGTF 2-88 from Camp LeJeune, North Carolina) and

2318-428: The essential security interests of the United States of America." Praying Mantis was the largest of the U.S. Navy 's five major surface engagements since World War II . It saw the U.S. Navy 's first exchange of anti-ship missiles with opposing ships, and its only sinking of a major surface combatant since World War II. On 18 April, the U.S. Navy attacked with several groups of surface warships, plus aircraft from

2379-418: The fuselage with shrapnel. The F-4s withdrew, and the Iranian pilot landed his damaged airplane at Bandar Abbas . Fighting continued when the Iranian frigate IRIS  Sahand departed Bandar Abbas and challenged elements of an American surface group. The frigate was spotted by two A-6Es from VA-95 while they were flying surface combat air patrol for USS  Joseph Strauss . Sahand fired missiles at

2440-464: The middle 1980s, the SM-2MR was deployed via Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) aboard USS  Bunker Hill , the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy a vertical launcher. VLS has, since 2003, been the only launcher used for the Standard missile in the U.S. Navy aboard Ticonderoga -class cruisers and Arleigh Burke -class destroyers . They are now most commonly launched from the Mk 41 VLS, which

2501-508: The missile airframe will incorporate an improved dorsal fin design and a thrust vectoring jet tab assembly. The Raytheon Company will be awarded contracts for the STANDARD Missile-2 Block IIIC EMD and LRIP requirements on a sole source basis. The SM-2 Block IIIC is now in production and deployed aboard Navy Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Missile is still in development in 2023 In

RIM-66 Standard - Misplaced Pages Continue

2562-565: The platform, and detonated them. The SAG was then ordered to proceed north to the Rakhsh oil platform to destroy it. As the SAG departed the Sassan oil field, two Iranian F-4s made an attack run but broke off when Lynde McCormick locked its fire-control radar on the aircraft. Halfway to the Rahksh oil platform, the attack was called off in an attempt to ease pressure on the Iranians and signal

2623-534: The ship wasn't threatened, the missiles were headed north towards Israel following the start of the 2023 Israel-Hamas War . From October 2023 to January 2024, several U.S. Navy destroyers downed dozens of missiles and attack drones launched by the Houthis against ships transiting the Red Sea, primarily using SM-2s. Although the SM-2 effectively intercepted the threats, at a cost of roughly $ 2.4 million per missile, it

2684-416: The ships remained alert, no hostile indications were received, and the clash was over. By the end of the operation, US Marines and US Navy ships and aircraft had destroyed Iranian naval and intelligence facilities on two inoperable oil platforms in the Persian Gulf , and sunk at least three armed Iranian Boghammer speedboats , one Iranian frigate, and one fast attack missile boat. One other Iranian frigate

2745-516: The ships. A missile was probably shot down by Gary ' s 76 mm (3.0 in) gun. The Pentagon and the Reagan Administration later denied that any Silkworm missile attacks took place, possibly in order to keep the situation from escalating further - as they had promised publicly that any such attacks would merit retaliation against targets on Iranian soil. After the attack on Sabalan , U.S. naval forces were ordered to assume

2806-500: The speedboats, sinking one and damaging several others, which then fled to the Iranian-controlled island of Abu Musa . Action continued to escalate. Iranian fast-attack craft Joshan , an Iranian Kaman -class (La Combattante II type) fast attack craft, challenged Wainwright and Surface Action Group Charlie. The commanding officer of Wainwright directed a final warning (of a series of warnings) stating that Joshan

2867-720: The system. The new missile made Tartar into a true medium ranged system. Besides having longer range than the RIM-24, the new missile was more accurate and reliable. Vessels of the California , and Virginia -class cruisers and the Kidd-class destroyers had their Tartar systems upgraded to modification 14 or 15 standard which enabled them to employ the Standard Missile 2 as part of the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program. The New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels could utilize

2928-438: The tactical version, and 32,000 lb (15,000 kg) for the strike version. The Standard can also be used against ships, either at line-of-sight range using its semi-active homing mode, or over the horizon using inertial guidance and terminal infrared homing. The SM-2 has conducted more than 2,700 successful live firings. In June 2017, Raytheon announced it was restarting the SM-2 production line to fulfill purchases made by

2989-409: The target. SAG Charlie closed on Joshan, with Simpson , then Bagley and Wainwright firing guns to sink the crippled Iranian ship. Two Iranian F-4 Phantom fighters were orbiting about 48 km (26 nmi) away when Wainwright decided to drive them away. Wainwright fired two Extended Range Standard missiles, one of which detonated near an F-4, blowing off part of its wing and peppering

3050-447: The time, no direct trade or navigation between the two was affected by the conflict. The court did state that "the actions of the United States of America against Iranian oil platforms on 19 October 1987 (Operation Nimble Archer) and 18 April 1988 (Operation Praying Mantis) cannot be justified as measures necessary to protect the essential security interests of the United States of America". The Court ruled that it "...cannot however uphold

3111-451: The weapon direction systems (WDS), the ship's long-range air search radars, and the guided missile launch system (GMLS) to engage air targets. The Tartar FCS receives target designation information from the WDS. The system then acquires and tracks the target, positions the missile launcher, programs the missile with intercept data, and lets the WDS know that it is ready to fire. Once the missile

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3172-664: Was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Admiral William J. Crowe , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , for the actions against Sabalan and the Iranian gunboats. In retaliation for the attacks, Iran fired Silkworm missiles, suspected to be the HY-4 version, from land bases against SAG Delta in the Strait of Hormuz and against USS  Gary in the northern central Persian Gulf , but all missed because of evasive maneuvers and use of decoys by

3233-412: Was confirmed to have intercepted it at a range of 8 miles. This marked the first time in history a warship successfully defended itself with SAMs launched from vertical launch cells against an anti-ship missile. The ship experienced yet a third attack on 15 October, this time with 5 AShMs. She fired SM-2s, destroying four of the missiles. On 1 April 2020, a Turkish Navy G-class frigate fired at least

3294-399: Was damaged in the battle. Sabalan was repaired in 1989 and has since been upgraded, and is still in service with the Iranian navy . The fires eventually burned themselves out but the damage to the infrastructure forced the demolition of the Sirri platforms after the war. The site was built up again for oil production by French and Russian oil companies, after buying the drilling rights from

3355-410: Was raised later that month. Navy officials said it showed no sign of battle damage. In his book "Tanker War," author Lee Allen Zatarain indicates there was some evidence the helicopter may have crashed while evading hostile fire from the island. A month later, the guided-missile cruiser USS  Vincennes arrived, summoned in haste to protect the frigate Samuel B. Roberts as it was hauled back to

3416-543: Was retired from USN service in 2003; however there are a large number of this model in service abroad and it is expected to remain viable until 2020. The RIM-66C was the first version of the Standard missile two. The missile became operational in 1978 with the Aegis combat system fitted to the Ticonderoga -class cruiser . The RIM-66D was the SM-2 medium-range block I version for the New Threat Upgrade. The SM-2 incorporates

3477-832: Was taken for the SM-1's Mark 13 missile launcher. The Standard Missile One became operational in 1968. The missile was utilized by ships equipped with the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System . The missile saw its first combat use in the early 1970s in the Vietnam war. The Standard Missile Two became operational in the late 1970s and was deployed operationally with the Aegis Combat System in 1983. Both Standard One and Two were used against both surface and air targets during Operation Praying Mantis . On July 3, 1988, USS  Vincennes mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655 , an Airbus A300B2 , using two SM-2MRs from her forward launcher. In 1988

3538-557: Was the 18 April 1988 attack by the United States on Iranian naval targets in the Persian Gulf in retaliation for the mining of a U.S. warship four days earlier. On 14 April, the American guided missile frigate USS  Samuel B. Roberts struck a mine while transiting international waters as part of Operation Earnest Will , the 1987–88 effort to protect reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers from Iranian attacks during

3599-464: Was the last version of the standard missile one medium-range. This version entered service in 1983 with the United States Navy and export customers. The RIM-66E was used by all remaining Tartar vessels that were not modified to use the New Threat Upgrade and Oliver Hazard Perry -class frigates which controlled it with the Mk92 fire control system. Production of this missile ended in 1987. The missile

3660-464: Was to "stop your engines, abandon ship, I intend to sink you". Joshan responded by firing a Harpoon missile at them. The missile was successfully lured away by chaff. Simpson responded to the challenge by firing four Standard missiles , while Wainwright followed with one Standard missile. All missiles hit and destroyed the Iranian ship's superstructure but did not immediately sink it, so Bagley fired another Harpoon. The missile did not find

3721-635: Was used during the Vietnam War . The only remaining version of the Standard missile 1 in service is the RIM-66E (SM-1MR Block VI). While no longer in service with the USN, the RIM-66E is still in service with many navies globally and was expected to remain in service until 2020. The RIM-66C/D Standard MR (SM-2MR Block I) was developed in the 1970s and was a key part of the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade (NTU). The SM-2MR introduced inertial and command mid-course guidance. The missile's autopilot

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