The "Standard Missile" is a type of surface-to-air missile (SAM) originally developed for the United States Navy. In September 2003 the United States Navy ceased to support the SM-1 and withdrew it from service, though the missile continues to be used by other navies. The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the Terrier missile and Tartar missile systems deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships. The SM-1 was used during the Vietnam War. The SM-2 was developed in the 1970s and was a key part of the Aegis combat system. In the early 1980s a critical decision was to deploy the missile via vertical launch. Due to the ramp-up in defense spending during the Reagan Presidency, Raytheon was brought on as a second source. Previously all Standard missiles were produced by General Dynamics. The SM-1 and SM-2 were continuosly upgraded through Blocks (see below). Versions of the Standard missile were used as the basis for Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) systems. Two were initially developed, the Navy Area and Navy Theater-Wide. The Navy Area system was cancelled by the United States Department of Defense due to delays in its development and cost-growth. Navy Theater-Wide continues under another name as part of the Missile Defense Agency's family of systems.
Some references claim a limited surface-to-surface capability.
SM-2 Block III/IIIA/IIIB Medium Range
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Surface-to-air missile
Contractor: Raytheon and others
Power plant: Dual thrust, solid fuel rocket
Length: 15 feet, 6 inches (4.72 meters)
Weight: SM-2: 1,558 pounds (708 kg)
Diameter: 13.5 inches (34.3 cm)
Wing Span: 3 feet 6 inches (1.08 meters)
Range: 40-90 nautical miles (46-104 statute miles)
Guidance system: Semi-active radar homing (IR in Block IIIB)
Warhead: Radar and contact fuse, blast-fragment warhead
Date Deployed: 1981 (SM-2 MR)
SM-2 Block IV Extended Range
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Fleet and extended area air defense
Length: 21 feet 6 inches with booster (6.55 meters)
Weight: 3,225 pounds (1466 kg)
Diameter: 21 inches (booster) (34.3 cm)
Wing Span: 3 feet 6 inches (1.08 meters)
Range: 100-200 nautical miles (115-230 statute miles)
Guidance system: Semi-active radar homing
Warhead: Radar and contact fuse, blast-fragment warhead
Date Deployed: 1998
Copied above information from: [1] (http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/missiles/wep-stnd.html), see also [2] (http://www.opticalcorrelator.com/standard%20missile/standard_missile.htm) for an overview of the SM-family. A good overall source is Norman Polmar's Modern Warship: Design and Development, Naval Institute Press, 1977.
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