The system offers navies more flexibility in limited ship space — and it’s enabling the U.S. and its allies to cost-effectively increase the offensive might of surface forces.

Sophisticated multi-mission warfare

Anti-air warfare

The SM-6 missile delivered on its initial mission to provide anti-air warfare support to the U.S. Navy by engaging manned and unmanned aircraft attacks and cruise missiles.

Ballistic missile defense

The weapon can protect ships against ballistic missiles in their final phase of flight. 

Anti-surface warfare

The SM-6 missile has demonstrated the ability to hit a surface target, and it can strike from any ship or location, supporting the Navy’s pursuit of sea control. 

Continuous evolution

Raytheon has upgraded the software on the SM-6 missile to better engage medium-range, ballistic missile threats. This led to a successful interception of such a target in its final seconds of flight.

The multi-mission missile is getting faster. The latest variant, the SM-6 Block IB missile, has a redesigned body and larger rocket motor.  

The SM-6 missile is deployable on 60 surface ships, and the company has already delivered more than 500 systems to the Navy. Final assembly and testing of the missile takes place at the company’s production facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.