RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 - Variants

Variants

The SM-3 Block IA version provides an incremental upgrade to improve reliability and maintainability at a reduced cost. The SM-3 Block IB, due in 2010, offers upgrades which include an advanced two-color infrared seeker, and a 10-thruster solid throttling divert and attitude control system (TDACS/SDACS) on the kill vehicle to give it improved capability against maneuvering ballistic missiles or warheads. Solid TDACS is a joint Raytheon/Aerojet project, but Boeing supplies some components of the kinetic warhead. With Block IB and associated ship-based upgrades, the Navy gains the ability to defend against medium range missiles and some Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles. SM-3 Block II will widen the missile body to 21 in and decrease the size of the maneuvering fins. It will still fit in Mk41 vertical launch systems, and the missile will be faster and have longer range. The SM-3 Block IIA will add a larger diameter kill vehicle that is more maneuverable, and carries another sensor/ discrimination upgrade. It’s currently scheduled to debut around 2015, whereupon the Navy will have a weapon that can engage some intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Designation Block Notes
RIM-161A SM-3 Block I Development version. The SM-3 Block I uses the basic SM-2ER Block IVA airframe and propulsion
  • Third stage rocket motor (Advanced Solid Axial Stage, ASAS, by Alliant Techsystems)
  • GPS/INS guidance section (GAINS, GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System)
  • LEAP (Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile) kinetic warhead (i.e. a non-explosive hit-to-kill warhead)
RIM-161B SM-3 Block IA
  • 1 Color Seeker
  • Solid Divert Attitude Control System (SDACS)
RIM-161C SM-3 Block IB Passed critical design review on 13 July 2009.
  • 2 Color IIR Seeker
  • Throttleable Divert Attitude Control System (TDACS)
  • All Reflective Optics
  • Advanced Signal Processor
RIM-161D SM-3 Block II
  • High Velocity Kinetic Warhead
  • 21-inch (530 mm) diameter first stage rocket propulsion
None to date SM-3 Block IIA
  • High Divert Kinetic Warhead
  • Advanced Discrimination Seeker

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