US launches $4.3 million SM-6 super missile to counter Houthi

US launches $4.3 million SM-6 super missile to counter Houthi

Saturday, February 3, 2024 23:59 PM (GMT+7)

The US Navy destroyer USS Carney launched a $4.3 million SM-6 air defense missile to intercept a Houthi ballistic missile attack in the Red Sea.

Fox News quoted an unnamed US official on February 1 revealing that the destroyer USS Carney had successfully launched an SM-6 anti-aircraft missile to intercept a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden the day before. According to Fox News, War Zone.

However, this official did not say how many SM-6 missiles were used in the battle. According to Fox News, War Zone.

It is unclear whether this is the first time a US warship has fired an SM-6 missile in the campaign against the Houthis. According to Fox News, War Zone.

However, this is the first time US officials have confirmed that the $4.3 million SM-6 missile has been used in an actual combat situation. According to Fox News, War Zone.

The US forces previously only launched SM-2 missiles, which cost more than $2 million, to counter Houthi weapons. According to Fox News, War Zone.

Experts have not yet determined why the US warship had to launch the expensive SM-6 missile to counter the Houthi missiles, even though most of the force's arsenal is within the combat capabilities of the SM-2 missile. According to Fox News, War Zone.

Analysts say that the US Navy is not the only one who wants to test the combat performance of this new missile in real combat. However, some observers also say that the US always puts the safety of sailors and warships first. According to Fox News, War Zone.

"Many people have mentioned the cost difference between the SM-6 and the Houthi ballistic missile. The cost of the SM-6 is nothing compared to the $2 billion warship and the nearly 300 crew members on it," wrote writer Joseph Trevithick on the US military website War Zone. According to Fox News, War Zone.

It is known that SM-6 is the newest and most powerful air defense missile of the US Navy. According to Fox News, War Zone.

This type of missile is also the only US weapon currently capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles, according to Pentagon officials. According to Fox News, War Zone.

US officials did not say which version of the SM-6 series is capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles. According to Fox News, War Zone.

The US Army is fielding the Block I and IA versions, while developing the Block IB variant with a revised design and larger engine. According to Fox News, War Zone.

This version of the missile is expected to reach hypersonic speeds and improve its ability to intercept enemy missiles. According to Fox News, War Zone.

"The project was created to deal with targets with high speed and maneuverability. SM-6 is currently the only US weapon capable of defending against hypersonic missiles," Vice Admiral Jon Hill, Director of the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), said. According to Fox News, War Zone.

Jon Hill added that the capability is “relatively nascent” and has the potential to grow further. According to Fox News, War Zone.

Hypersonic missiles are weapons that travel at least five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), equivalent to more than 6,200 km/h. According to Fox News, War Zone.

The RIM-174A ERAM, also known as the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), is an air defense missile for the Aegis defense shield. According to Fox News, War Zone.

Aegis is a defense system capable of intercepting enemy aircraft and cruise missiles, and can also be used as an anti-ship weapon. According to Fox News, War Zone.

Raytheon upgraded the SM-6's software in 2017 to better counter threats from medium-range ballistic missiles and develop capabilities to counter hypersonic weapons. According to Fox News, War Zone.

The SM-6 interceptor missile was developed by the US, has a range of 240 km, a target destruction altitude of 33 km and a cruising speed of over 4,000 km/h. According to Fox News, War Zone.

In addition to the US, Japan has also officially ordered this type of missile to equip its warships. According to Fox News, War Zone.

PV (According to ANTĐ)

Source: https://danviet.vn/my-phong-sieu-ten-lua-sm-6-tri-gia-43-trieu-usd-doi-pho-houthi-20240203234456001.htm