Washington DC (Washington Insider Magazine) – The RIM-67 Standard ER (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) and anti-ship missile. This missile was originally developed for the United States Navy (USN). It was developed as a replacement for the RIM-8 Talos, which was a 1950s system used with a variety of USN ships. It replaced the RIM-2 Terrier as it was of a similar size and could be used with the majority of the Terrier launchers and magazines. The RIM-66 Standard MR is the same missile without the booster stage and is designed to replace the RIM-24 Tartar. The RIM-66/67 series have become the US Navy’s universal SAM system for many years.
Specifications
- Mass-2,980 lb (1,350 kg)
- SM-2ER Block IV-3,225 lb (1,463 kg)
- Length-26.2 ft (8.0 m)
- SM-2ER Block IV: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) with booster
- Diameter-SM-2ER Block IV:
- Main body: 13.5 in (34.3 cm)
- Booster: 21 in (53.3 cm)
- Engine-Two-stage, solid-fuel rocket; sustainer motor and booster motor
- Wingspan-5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
- SM-2ER Block IV: 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)
- Operational range-65–100 nmi (120–185 km)
- SM-2ER Block IV: 100–200 nmi (190–370 km)
Buyers
The following three countries have bought RIM-156A Standard:
- Gulf
- Iran
- Iraq
Recent Use In Battlefield
During the Iran–Iraq War in 1980–1988 the United States deployed Standard missiles to protect its navy. They also wanted to protect other ships in the Persian Gulf as there was a lot of threat of Iranian attacks.
According to the Iranian Air Force, their missile F-4 Phantom IIs was engaged by SM-2ERs but it managed to evade them. One of the aircraft sustained non-fatal damage due to shrapnel. In the same war, the United States Navy shot down an Iranian civilian airliner and uses two SM-2 missiles.
On April 18, 1988, the operating the Praying Mantis, fired four RIM-66 Standard missiles at the cruiser USS Wainwright. It also fired the RIM-67 Standard missiles at Joshan, and the Iranian (Combattante II.
These attacks had destroyed the Iranian ship’s superstructure but it did not sink into the water. In 2015 there was a testing of the missile that caused damage to the destroyer USS The Sullivans and restricted the older SM-2s to wartime use only.
RIM-67 Standard was also used on the ships and replaced the RIM-2 Terrier. It was not VLS-capable and it used other ships. The Mk10 was a guided missile that used the launching system with an Upgraded equipped vessel.
FAQS
1. What Is The Purpose Behind RIM-156A Standard Development?
The RIM-156A (SM-1ER Block I) was developed for the Navy’s replacement for the RIM-8 Talos missile. It is being designed with improved technology and allowed the RIM-67 to be reduced as compared to the size of the earlier RIM-2 Terrier missile.
2. How Is RIM-156A Standard Deployed?
RIM-156 A Standard can be deployed on ships of many different classes. It replaced the RIM-2 Terrier, which was never VLS-capable. All of the ships that are used by this missile are designed with special technology and are primarily used for the AN/SPG-55 for guidance.
3. How Can RIM-156A Standard be Launched?
The RIM-156 A is a Standard ER missile and can only be launched from rail-type launchers. The AEGIS ships with the MK 41 VLS cannot deploy the Standard ER. This is why the Block IV variant of SM-2ER had to be developed as this provided the AEGIS/VLS ships an extended range. These ships also have an improved cross-range and come with a high-altitude air-defense capability.
4. What Are The Features Of the RIM-156A Standard?
The RIM-156A is equipped with a MK 72 booster. This booster is significantly shorter than the original SM-2ER booster and is designed with no fins. It also uses thrust-vectoring control and is also improved with feature guidance. This missile also comes with control modifications, that include the upgraded MK 45 MOD 10 TDD.
5. Is RIM-156A Standard A High Performing Missile?
RIM-156A Standard has improved performance. It has low-RCS threats when it is shot in the ECM environments. Block IV was developed to step up the performance of this missile. It is considered to be one of the best missiles in the Navy Area Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (NATBMD) missile.
Read More: RIM-66 Standard Specifications, Buyers & Recent Use In Battlefield
6. What Is THE Standard Range Of RIM-156A Standard?
RIM-156A Standard is the second generation of Standard missiles. It was developed for the Aegis combat system and has been considered a new Threat to the Upgrade program. This missile was planned for existing Terrier and Tartar ships. It works with inertial guidance for every phase of the missile’s flight and is a semi-active homing.
