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The RIM-67 Standard Missile ER
(SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is an extended range surface-to-air missile (SAM) and anti ship
missile originally developed for the United States Navy (USN). The RIM-67 was
developed as a replacement for the RIM-8 Talos a 1950s system systems
deployed on a variety of USN ships.
RIM-67A SM-1 Extended Range:
The RIM-67A (SM-1ER Block I) was the Navy's replacement for RIM-8 Talos
missile. Improved technology allowed the RIM-67 to be reduced to the size of
the earlier RIM-2 Terrier missile. Existing ships with the Mk86 guided
missile fire control system, or "Terrier" were adapted to employ
the new missile in place of the older RIM-2 Terrier missile. Ships that
switched from the RIM-2 Terrier to the RIM-67A were still referred to as
Terrier ships even though they were equipped with the newer missile.
RIM-67 and RIM-156 SM-2 Extended Range:
The second generation of Standard missile, the Standard Missile 2, was
developed for the Aegis combat system, and New Threat Upgrade program that
was planned for existing Terrier and Tartar ships. The principle change over
the Standard missile 1 is the introduction of inertial guidance for each
phase of the missile's flight except the terminal phase where semi-active
homing was retained. This design change was made so that missiles could time
share illumination radars and enable equipped ships to defend against saturation
missile attacks.
Terrier ships reequipped as part of the New Threat Upgrade were refit to
operate the RIM-67B (SM-2ER Block II) missile. However, Aegis ships were not
equipped with launchers that had space enough for the longer RIM-67B.
The RIM-156A Standard SM-2ER Block IV with the Mk 72 booster was developed to
compensate for the lack of a long range SAM for the Ticonderoga-class of
Aegis cruisers. This configuration can also be used for Terminal phase
Ballistic Missile Defense.
There was a plan to build a nuclear armed standard missile mounting a W81
nuclear warhead as a replacement for the earlier Nuclear Terrier missile
(RIM-2D). The USN rescinded the requirement for the nuclear armed missile in
the 1980s, and the project was canceled.
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.
A new generation of Standard extended range missiles (RIM-174 Standard ERAM)
is expected to become operational in 2011.
Operational history:
During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) the United States had deployed standard
missiles to protect its navy as well as other ships in the Persian Gulf from
Iranian attacks. According to the Iranian Air Force, its F-4 Phantom IIs were
engaged by SM-2ERs but managed to evade them, with one aircraft sustaining
non-fatal damage due to shrapnel.
On April 18, 1988, during Operation Praying Mantis, the USS Simpson (FFG-56)
fired four RIM-66 Standard missiles and the USS Wainwright (CG-28) fired two
RIM-67 Standard missiles at Joshan, an Iranian (Combattante II) Kaman-class
fast attack craft. The attacks destroyed the Iranian ship's superstructure
but did not immediately sink it.
Deployment:
RIM-67 Standard Missile was deployed on ships of the following
classes, replacing the RIM-2
Terrier, and it never was VLS-capable. All of the ships used the
AN/SPG-55 for guidance. The Mk-10
guided missile launching system was used as the launching system.
New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels operated the RIM-67B which used inertial
guidance for every phase of the intercept except for the terminal phase where
the AN/SPG-55 radar illuminates the target.
USS
Long Beach (CGN-9): SM-1ER later SM-2ER with NTU
Farragut
class DDG: SM-1ER later SM-2ER (DDG-42 with NTU)
Leahy class CG:
SM-1ER later SM-2ER with NTU
USS
Bainbridge (CGN-25): SM-1ER later SM-2ER with NTU
Belknap class
CG: SM-1ER later SM-2ER with NTU
USS
Truxtun (CGN-35): SM-1ER later SM-2ER with NTU
Ticonderoga
class CG (CG-47 to CG-51 only)
The RIM-156 Standard Block IV, is a version that has been developed
for Aegis Combat System it has a smaller compact sized booster stage for
firing from the Mk-41 vertical launching system (VLS). Like the earlier
RIM-67B it employs inertial/command guidance with terminal semi-active
homing.
Ticonderoga
class CG (VLS units only)
Arleigh
Burke class DDG
The last vessel to operate the RIM-67 was the Italian helicopter cruiser
Vittorio Veneto (550) which was retired in 2003. The RIM-156A is still in
service as of 2011. The RIM-174
Standard ERAM or Standard Missile Six (SM-6) is entering service
as its replacement.
Variants:
RIM-67A / SM-1ER Block I
RIM-67B / SM-2ER Block I
RIM-67C / SM-2ER Block II
RIM-67D / SM-2ER Block III
RIM-156A / SM-2ER Block IV
RIM-156B / SM-2ER Block IVA (cancelled)
General Characteristics, SM-2 Block IV ER:
Primary Function: Fleet and extended area air defense.
Contractor: Raytheon Missile Systems.
Date Deployed: 1998
Propulsion: Two-stage solid fuel rockets.
Length: 21 feet 6 inches with booster (6.55 meters).
Diameter: 21 inches (booster) (34.3 cm).
Wingspan: 3 feet 6 inches (1.08 meters).
Weight: 3,225 pounds (1466 kg).
Range: 100-200 nautical miles (115-230 statute miles).
Guidance System: Semi-active radar homing.
Warhead: Radar and contact fuse, blast-fragment warhead.
in service: US Navy
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