Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Navy’s SM-6 missile, or RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, developed by Raytheon, is a versatile, multi-mission weapon introduced in 2011.

-It excels in extended-range anti-air warfare, engaging various threats, including aircraft, UAVs, and cruise missiles. Its active radar seeker, derived from the AIM-120C AMRAAM, allows for independent target engagement without ship-based radar illumination.

-The SM-6 enhances the offensive and defensive capabilities of the Navy’s surface fleet and F/A-18 Super Hornet, crucial for countering anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems. Its adoption by several allied nations underscores its effectiveness in modern naval warfare.

The Navy’s SM-6 Missile Is Truly Special 

The SM-6 missile, also known as the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, is a multi-mission missile developed by Raytheon for the U.S. Navy. This weapon is meant for Extended Range Anti-Air Warfare. 

The SM-6 is strong against fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and land-attack as well as anti-ship cruise missiles in flight. 

The Navy introduced the SM-6 in 2011, and it has since become a key component of the naval service’s defensive capabilities. 

A Very Versatile Weapon

This versatile missile performs a host of mission sets, including ballistic missile defense. The missile’s active radar seeker is based on the AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missile’s seeker. 

This, in turn, provides for greater target acquisition and engagement. Further, the missile’s active radar seeker allows it to engage targets independently. Ship-based radar illumination is unnecessary. 

This missile is a critical element of America’s air warfare capabilities. SM-6 missiles are so popular nowadays that they are not only used by the U.S. military. Indeed, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Spain have all adopted these systems. 

With the U.S. Navy, the SM-6 allows carrier-based warplanes to conduct defensive screens of their carrier battle group. It also greatly extends the offensive range of a carrier’s airwing. 

The SM-6 combines the best missile technology available into one modern weapon. This combination of advanced systems enables the Navy to increase its offensive might of its surface fleet in cost-effective ways. 

The F/A-18 Super Hornet is one of the warplanes that can use the SM-6 missile. With the SM-6, the F/A-18 can engage a wider range of threats, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft, and it can engage them from a greater distance. 

How It Helps Fight Against A2/AD

Today, America’s bloated carrier force is faced with the daunting threat of anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems. These weapons are designed to complicate the Navy’s ability to project power near the shores where A2/AD systems are active.

By keeping the Americans just over the horizon, America’s enemies hope to have greater maneuvering room to run roughshod over their U.S.-backed neighbors. But the presence of SM-6 missiles on U.S. warplanes launched from carriers will help keep these threatened systems in the fight longer. A key element to overcoming A2/AD is long-range warfare. The SM-6 appears to have long-range capabilities in spades. 

SM-6: The Right Move

The Navy was right to add the SM-6 to its F/A-18 warplanes. 

It is a highly capable and versatile weapon that provides the Navy and its allies with enhanced defensive capabilities against a wide range of threats. Its adoption by multiple militaries and integration with advanced warplanes like the F/A-18 demonstrates its effectiveness and value in modern naval warfare. 

Author Experience and Expertise: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock. 

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