The Standard Missile

IDonT

Senior Member
VIP Professional
Since the last thread was closed before I could respond, I will make a new topic.

The Standard Missile has a secondary anti-surface capability. Against ships that are packed with munitions, like the Sovremenny, it is deadly. It is armed with a 137 lb high explosive warhead. This can wreck havoc on the Sovs's electronics and spread fire to her volatile missiles.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


The Standard Missile is one of the most reliable in the Navy's inventory. Used against missiles, aircraft and ships, it first came into the fleet more than a decade ago.

Operation Praying Mantis in the late 80's, the Standard missile was use to sink several Iranian navy warships.
 

Gollevainen

Colonel
VIP Professional
Registered Member
...And standart isen't alone, Soviet S-125 (SA-N-1) SAM system was also capaple to be used against ships. Therefor Project 61 BPKs wheren't completely (in their orginal outfit) whitout anti-surface capapility. The S-125 missile supposedly dived from high altitude towards the target ship.

But as this topic is more suitable to the world defence forum, i'll move it to there...
 

BrotherofSnake

Junior Member
Do you know the top speed of the SM-2?

The SM-2 probably can't sink a Sovremenny, but it can definitely mission kill it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

vincelee

Junior Member
several warships my ass. It killed a Greek made patrol corvette and damaged another. Against an armored target, I don't expect too much. Let's not forget the nature of the warhead here.
 

swimmerXC

Unregistered
VIP Professional
Registered Member
yep, the warhead is too small to do major damage to an DDG or even a FFG.... i guess they can use the SM's on targets that aren't worth sinking with a harpoon, like FACs, patrol boats, patrol corvette....
 

Sea Dog

Junior Member
VIP Professional
swimmerXC said:
yep, the warhead is too small to do major damage to an DDG or even a FFG.... i guess they can use the SM's on targets that aren't worth sinking with a harpoon, like FACs, patrol boats, patrol corvette....

Well, right and wrong here. It's not just warhead size. It's also kinetic energy of the missile which does most of the damage. But the SM-2 does have a relatively large explosive warhead, not a small one. I believe 147 lbs (approx.) is pretty large, as far as a SAM goes. Also, it's dimensions are about the same as a Harpoon. It's kinetic energy can rip it through thick, hardened materials. Some SINKEX's have demonstrated it. And a Sovremenny target where you have exposed missile launchers, high RCS, large sensor masts, and lots of flammable materials would make the ideal SM-2 kill. I have no doubt that the AEGIS ships would utilize it's SM-2's in the anti-ship role if they made the tactical decision to do so. A strength to this is that they can ripple fire lots of them.

SM-2's may primarily be Surface to Air (AAW role), but you shouldn't underestimate them in the anti-ship role. AEGIS ships firing 8-12 towards a surface platform would likely damage or destroy exposed missile launchers and sensor masts (mission kill), and slice through the inside of the ship(killing personnel, destroying equipment and spreading fire). Once that's done a few Harpoons can come in to obliterate the rest of the target.

And BTW, most ship to ship warfare would be conducted within range of SM-2's capabilities. That is, unless carrier aircraft didn't get to the enemy fleet first (which is the most probable outcome anyway). In that regard, it is unlikely we will see Arleigh Burkes taking on PLAN ships directly. But if we did, Burkes would make mince meat out of em' IMO.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Excellent response Sea Dog.

SM-2 stats...

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


General Characteristics, SM-2 Block III/IIIA/IIIB Medium Range

Primary Function: Surface to air missile.
Contractor: Raytheon and others.
Date Deployed: 1981 (SM-2 MR).
Propulsion: Dual thrust, solid fuel rocket.
Length: 15 feet, 6 inches (4.72 meters).
Diameter: 13.5 inches (34.3 cm).
Wingspan: 3 feet 6 inches (1.08 meters).
Weight: SM-2: 1,558 pounds (708 kg).
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.

General Characteristics, SM-2 Block IV Extended Range

Primary Function: Fleet and extended area air defense.
Contractor: Raytheon and others.
Date Deployed: 1998.
Propulsion: Two-stage solid fuel rockets.
Length: 21 feet 6 inches with booster (6.55 meters).
Diameter: 21 inches (booster) (34.3 cm).
Wingspan: 3 feet 6 inches (1.08 meters).
Weight: 3,225 pounds (1466 kg).
Range: 100-200 nautical miles (115-230 statute miles).
Guidance System: Semi-active radar homing.
Warhead: Radar and contact fuse, blast-fragment warhead.
 

vincelee

Junior Member
if you have a radar LOS with the intended target. But why would you ever want to spend a mil dollar missile on a ground target?
 
Top