US launches SM-3 missile to intercept Iranian missile outside atmosphere for the first time

Two US warships fired a salvo of SM-3 missiles worth $36 million each to intercept an Iranian ballistic missile, marking the first time the weapon has been tested in real-life fire.

Two anonymous US defense officials revealed on April 15 that the destroyers USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney launched a total of 4-7 SM-3 interceptors to neutralize a series of Iranian ballistic missiles flying towards Israel on the night of April 13.

US officials did not disclose the SM-3 version on the two warships or the type of weapon used by Iran. However, experts said the fact that the US warships had to fire SM-3s showed that Tehran used medium-range ballistic missiles with the ability to fly up to 2,900 km.

Israel intercepts Iranian missile outside atmosphere — Iranian ballistic missile intercepted outside the atmosphere. Video: *X/RawAlerts*

The RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is an exoatmospheric interceptor designed to destroy enemy ballistic missiles in mid-course, while the target is traveling through space. When it reaches a suitable altitude, the SM-3 will launch a "kill vehicle" that uses impact force to bring down the target, instead of carrying a fragmentation warhead like a conventional interceptor missile.

The latest version of the SM-3 Block IIA is designed to counter medium-range ballistic missiles, filling the gap between terminal missile defense systems such as Patriot and THAAD. The SM-3 missile can hit targets at a maximum distance of 1,200 km and an altitude of 100 km.

The US Navy's 2021 budget documents show that each SM-3 Block IB missile costs an estimated $12 million, while the most modern Block IIA variant costs more than $36 million, not including maintenance and upgrade costs.

The SM-3 missile line has been deployed by the US on warships since 2004, but has only been fired during exercises and has never intercepted a target in reality before participating in the battle on the night of April 13.

The SM-3 Block IIA missile was first fired during a test in 2015. Photo: US Navy — The SM-3 Block IIA missile was first fired during a test in 2015. Photo: *US Navy*

The US Navy last week deployed the USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney to the eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Israel, to bolster its defenses of the country. Both ships are equipped with the Aegis combat system, which is optimized for tracking and intercepting ballistic missiles.

Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at multiple targets in Israel on the night of April 13 and early morning of April 14 in response to the attack on the consulate in Damascus, Syria earlier this month. The Israeli military, in coordination with its allies the US, UK, France and Jordan, intercepted 99% of the missiles launched by Iran.

Vu Anh (According to USNI )

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