Jump to content

RIM-66 Standard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 64.90.88.57 (talk) at 15:31, 8 September 2008 (added minor detail). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

RIM-66 Standard MR
A RIM-66 Standard MR on an Mk-26 launcher
TypeMedium range surface-to-air missile
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service1967 (RIM-66A SM-1MR Block I)
1979 (RIM-66C SM-2MR)[1]
Used byUnited States Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Netherlands Navy, German Navy, Chilean Navy, and Others
Production history
ManufacturerRaytheon and others
Produced1967 Onwards
Specifications
MassSM-2 – 1,558 lb (708 kg)
Length15 ft., 6 in. (4.72 m)
Diameter13.5 in. (343 mm)
Wingspan3 ft., 6 in. (1.08 m)
Warheadblast fragmentation warhead
Detonation
mechanism
radar and contact fuze
Enginedual thrust, solid fuel rocket
Operational
range
40 to 90 nautical miles (74 to 167 km)
Flight ceiling> 24400 m (80000 ft)
Maximum speed Mach 3.5
Guidance
system
SM-2 Inertial guidance with semi-active radar homing in the terminal phase of the interception. Block IIIB missiles have a dual infrared/semi-active terminal homing.
Launch
platform
Surface Ship

The RIM-66 Standard MR (SM-1MR/SM-2MR) is a medium range surface-to-air missile (SAM) originally developed for the United States Navy (USN). The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships. It is similar to the RIM-67 Standard (SM-1ER/SM-2ER), but has no rocket booster.

Description

The Standard missile program was started in 1963 to produce a family of missiles to replace existing missiles used by the Terrier, Talos, and Tartar guided missile launch systems.[2]

Standard missile 1

The RIM-66A is the medium ranged version of the Standard missile and was initially used as a replacement for the earlier RIM-24C as part of the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System. It used the same fuselage as the earlier Tartar, for easier use with existing launchers and magazines. The RIM-66A/B is a semi-active radar homing missile like the earlier RIM-24C. The RIM-66A/B Standard MR, (SM-1MR Block I to V) was used during the Vietnam War.

Standard missile 2

The RIM-66C/D Standard MR (SM-2MR Block I), was developed in the 1970s and was a key part of the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade (NTU). The SM-2MR introduced introduced inertial guidance. The missile's autopilot is programmed to fly the most efficient path to the target and can receive course corrections from the ground. Target illumination for semi-active homing is needed only for a few seconds in the terminal phase of the interception. This capability enables the Aegis combat system and the New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels to time share illumination radars, greatly increasing the number of targets that can be engaged at one time. In the middle 1980s, the SM-2MR was deployed via Mk-41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) aboard the USS Bunker Hill, the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy a vertical launcher. VLS is now the predominant launcher used with the Standard missile in the U.S. Navy aboard Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

The SM-1 and SM-2 were continuously upgraded through Blocks (see below).

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.[3]

Contractors

Standard missiles were constructed by General Dynamics Pomona Division until 1992, when it became part of the Hughes Missile Systems Company. Hughes formed a joint venture with Raytheon called Standard Missile Company (SMCo). Hughes Missile Systems was eventually sold to Raytheon making it the sole contractor.[4]

Operational history

The Standard missile one was used in combat in the early 1970s by the United States Navy in the Vietnam war. On July 3, 1988, USS Vincennes (CG-49) shot down Iran Air Flight 655, an Airbus A300B2 it had mistaken for an Iranian F-14 while engaged in combat with Iranian patrol boats that had fired on a Danish Tanker and USS Vincennes helicopters, [1][[2]] using two SM-2MR missiles from her forward launcher,[5] killing 290 people. An Iraqi Mirage F1 had attacked the USS Stark May 17 1987 with Exocet missiles killing 37 crew members. [3] The Iranian regime disputes the U.S. Navy's findings.

Deployment history

The Standard missile is designated by blocks depending upon their technological package.

SM-1 Medium Range Block I/II/III/IIII, RIM-66A

The First Standard missiles entered service in the USN in 1967. Blocks I, II, and III were preliminary versions. Block IIII was the production version. This missile was a replacement for the earlier RIM-24C Tartar missile.

SM-1 Medium Range Block V, RIM-66B

The RIM-66B introduced changes the resulted in higher reliability. A new faster reacting autopilot, a more powerful dual thrust rocket motor, and a new warhead were added.

SM-1 Medium Range Block VI, RIM-66E

The RIM-66E was the last version of the standard missile one medium range. This version entered service in 1983 [6]with the United States Navy and export customers. The RIM-66E was used by all remaining Tartar vessels that were not modified to use the New Threat Upgrade and Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates which controlled it with the Mk92 fire control system. The missile was retired from USN service in 2003; however it is still widely used abroard and is expected to remain viable until 2020.[7]

SM-2 Medium Range Block I, RIM-66C/D

The RIM-66C was the first version of the Standard missile two. The missile became operational in 1978 with the Aegis combat system fitted to the Ticonderoga class cruiser. The RIM-66D was the SM-2 medium range block I version for the New Threat Upgrade. The SM-2 incorporates a new autopilot giving it inertial guidance in all phases of flight except for the terminal intercept where semi-active radar homing is still used. This version is no longer in service, remaining missiles have either been remanufactured into later models or have been put in storage.

SM-2 Medium Range Block II, RIM-66G/H/J

The Block II missile introduced in 1983 with a new rocket motor for longer range and a new warhead. The RIM-66G is for the Aegis combat system and the Mk26 missile launcher. The RIM-66H is for Aegis and the Mk41 vertical launcher. The RIM-66J is the version for the New Threat Upgrade.

SM-2 Medium Range Block III/IIIA/IIIB, RIM-66K/L/M

The RIM-66M is the version of the Standard missile two medium range (SM-2MR) currently in service with the USN aboard Ticonderoga class cruisers, and Arleigh Burke class destroyers. The missile is specifically designed for the Aegis Combat System and the Mk41 Vertical launch system. The Block III missiles differ from earlier blocks by the addition of the MK 45 MOD 9 target detecting device, for improved performance against low altitude targets. The Block IIIB missile additionally has a dual semi-active/infrared seeker for terminal homing. The dual seeker is intended for use in high-ECM environments, against targets over the horizon or with a small radar cross section.[8] The seeker was originally developed for the AIM-7R. All USN Block III and IIIA missiles are to be upgraded to Block IIIB. Block IIIA missiles are operated by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force on its Kongo class and Atago class Aegis destroyers, and is also by the Dutch and German Navies with the APAR air defense system. Block III variants for Aegis and arm launchers are designated RIM-66L. Block III missiles for New Threat Upgrade systems is designated RIM-66K. Block IIIB missiles were not produced for the New Threat Upgrade.

Deployment

A RIM-66 being assembled

RIM-66 Standard was deployed on ships of the following classes, replacing RIM-24 Tartar in some cases:

Surface to air variants

Designation Block Platform Notes
RIM-66A SM-1MR Block I to IV Digital Tartar In Service 1967
RIM-66B SM-1MR Block V Digital Tartar
RIM-66C SM-2MR Block I Aegis Mk26 launcher MK 115 blast-fragmentation warhead
Monopulse seeker for ECM resistance
RIM-66D SM-2MR Block I New Threat Upgrade First New Threat Upgrade version
RIM-66E SM-1MR Block VI Digital Tartar and Mk92 Fire Control System. In service 1983. Version still in service with export customers.
RIM-66G SM-2MR Block II Aegis Mk26 launcher
RIM-66H SM-2MR Block II Aegis Mk41 Launcher Added Thiokol MK 104 rocket motor, increasing range
High-velocity fragmentation warhead
RIM-66J SM-2MR Block II New Threat Upgrade
RIM-66K-1 SM-2MR Block III New Threat Upgrade
RIM-66K-2 SM-2MR Block IIIA New Threat Upgrade
RIM-66L-1 SM-2MR Block III Aegis Mk26 launcher
RIM-66L-2 SM-2MR Block IIIA Aegis Mk26 launcher
RIM-66M-1 SM-2MR Block III Aegis Mk41 Launcher Improved MK 45 MOD 9 target detecting device, for low altitude targets
RIM-66M-2 SM-2MR Block IIIA Aegis Mk41 Launcher MK 125 warhead
RIM-66M-5 SM-2MR Block IIIB Aegis Mk41 Launcher Missile Homing Improvement Program (MHIP), dual IR / SARH seeker, IR seeker mounted on side fairing

Table sources, reference material: [9][10][11][12]

References

  1. ^ United States Navy,US Navy Fact File:Standard Missile, October 11, 2002. Accessed June 5, 2006.
  2. ^ http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-66.html
  3. ^ Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Standard missile. Accessed June 5, 2006.
  4. ^ GlobalSecurity.org - Standard specs Designation systems RIM-66.
  5. ^ United States Navy. "Formal Investigation into the Circumstances Surrounding the Downing of Iran Air Flight 655 on 3 July 1988" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  6. ^ Raytheon RIM-66 Standard MR
  7. ^ USNI Combat Fleets 2005-2006, Wertheim, Eric; Editor, USN section Naval Institute Press (c)2005
  8. ^ USNI Combat Fleets 2005-2006, Wertheim, Eric; Editor, USN section Naval Institute Press (c)2005
  9. ^ The US Navy - Fact File
  10. ^ Raytheon RIM-66 Standard MR
  11. ^ SM-2 RIM-66 / RIM-67 Standard Missile
  12. ^ USNI Guide to Combat Fleets: Their Ships and Weapons. 2005-2006 (c)2005 USNI Press

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RIM-66 Standard MR.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RIM-66_Standard&oldid=237079867"