The SM-2™ missile chases threats closer to the water's surface, defending against anti-ship missiles and aircraft out to 90 nautical miles. 

It is a cornerstone of a ship’s layered defense.

Block IIIA and IIIB variants

The SM-2 variants include radar seeker technologies in continuous wave and interrupted continuous wave guidance modes, tail controls and solid rocket motor propulsion to engage high-speed maneuvering threats and updated radar targeting and directional warheads. 

Block IIIB enhances its predecessor’s capabilities by adding autonomous infrared acquisition. The U.S. Navy plans to use this variant through 2035.

Global demand

Raytheon restarted its SM-2 production line after multiple countries pooled resources to make a "bundle" purchase. The company reconfigured and modernized its SM-2 missile factory to increase production efficiencies. It also signed new agreements with several suppliers.

Track record

In 2020, Raytheon and the Navy successfully flight tested the first SM-2 missile from the company's restarted production line. The SM-2 Block IIIB missile launched, flew and provided accurate telemetry data to the range, and engaged an airborne Navy target.

The SM-2 missile has an extensive flight test history, with more than 2,700 successful live firings. Its durability has led navies in several countries to reconfigure their fleets to support SM-2 applications. 

The guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) launches an SM-2™ missile during a Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, live-fire event July 16, 2018, in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) launches an SM-2™ missile during a Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, live-fire event July 16, 2018, in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) launches an SM-2 missile to destroy an advanced high-speed target while USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Mason (DDG 87) transit formation during a live-fire test of the ship’s Aegis weapons systems. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) launches an SM-2 missile to destroy an advanced high-speed target while USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Mason (DDG 87) transit formation during a live-fire test of the ship’s Aegis weapons systems. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
An SM-2 missile destroys an airborne training target during a successful first test of the updated Aegis Baseline 9 weapons system aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53). (Photo: U.S. Navy)
An SM-2 missile destroys an airborne training target during a successful first test of the updated Aegis Baseline 9 weapons system aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53). (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) launches an SM-2 missile from the aft missile deck during an exercise. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) launches an SM-2 missile from the aft missile deck during an exercise. (Photo: U.S. Navy)
The SM-2 missile is primarily used by U.S. and allied navies for fleet air defense and ship self defense.
The SM-2 missile is primarily used by U.S. and allied navies for fleet air defense and ship self defense.