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Related Article: Ships That Sink SatellitesStandard Missile-3 is being
developed for Aegis Ballistic
Missile Defense (BMD) as part
of the Missile Defense Agencys
Ballistic Missile Defense System
(BMDS). The Aegis BMD
system integrates SM-3 with the
Aegis Weapon System (AWS)
aboard U.S. Navy cruisers
to provide an umbrella of
protection against short to
intermediate-range ballistic
missile threats. SM-3 is
compatible with the MK 41
Vertical Launching System
(VLS) deployed on many U.S.
Navy and international surface
combatants.
As a ballistic missile threat rises
above the horizon, ships radar
acquires, begins tracking, and
the weapon system begins
calculating the engagement
solution. Upon command
from the ships weapon system,
the SM-3 boosts out of the
launcher and establishes radio
communication with the ship.
After MK 72 booster burnout,
the MK 104 Dual Thrust
Rocket Motor (DTRM) ignites.
In-flight communications
from the ship guide the missile
toward the predicted intercept
point. After MK 104 burnout
and separation, the MK 136
Third Stage Rocket Motor
(TSRM) ignites, propelling the
third stage out of the atmosphere.
Throughout its flight,
the missile continues to receive
in-flight target updates from
the ship to refine the intercept
guidance solution. The TSRM
contains two separate pulses
that can be initiated to optimize
the engagement timeline.
During flyout, the third stage
pitches over and ejects the
nosecone, exposing the SM-3
Kinetic Warhead (KW).
Following TSRM burnout
roughly 30 seconds before
intercept, the SM-3 KW separates
from the third stage and
immediately searches for the
target based on pointing data
received from the ship. The
KW acquires the ballistic
missile warhead with its
long-wavelength imaging
infrared seeker. The KWs Solid
Divert and Attitude Control
System (SDACS) precisely
maneuvers the KW to enable
a hit-to-kill intercept. As the
KW closes on the target, it will
identify the lethal payload area
and shift its guidance aimpoint
to ensure a lethal hit, destroying
the target with more than 130
megajoules of kinetic energy,
or the equivalent of a 10 ton truck
traveling at 600 miles per hour.
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