Raytheon contracted for SM-3 Block IIA all-up-round development

Raytheon Missile Systems has received a USD925 million contract modification from the US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) to continue development and integration of the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA ballistic missile defence (BMD) interceptor.

A co-development effort between the governments of the US and Japan – the latter providing key technologies through the Japan-US Co-operative Research Program – the Block IIA missile is designed to a capability to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the ascent and midcourse phases of flight.

Although building on technology already fielded in the SM-3 Block 1A and Block 1B interceptors, the Block IIA is redesigned to incorporate 'full-calibre' 21-inch diameter second- and third-stage rocket motors, providing a significant increase in acceleration, velocity and range.

The Block IIA missile will also deploy a larger, more capable Kinetic Warhead with a two-colour seeker and a new Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS). Aerojet was selected to develop TDACS in late 2011, with the system – essentially a rocket motor with four main divert nozzles and six attitude control nozzles – completing its preliminary design review in early 2012.