Country: United States Of America
Missile Type: medium- range surface-to- air missile
Service Type: Yes
Washington DC (Washington Insider Magazine) – The RIM-66 Standard is a medium-range surface-to-air missile. It plays the perfect secondary role as an anti-ship missile. This missile was originally manufactured for United States Navy. The SM-1 was introduced as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar. Both these missiles were deployed in the 1950s on a high number of navy ships. The RIM-67 Standard (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is recently introduced as an upgraded version of RIM-66. However, the new vision boasts a solid rocket booster stage.
Specifications
RIM-66 standard is a standard missile program that was first introduced in 1963. It replaced many guided missiles used by the Terrier, Talos, and other missile systems. The intention of introducing this missile was to produce a new generation of guided missiles. Here are some specifications of RIM-66.
- Mass: SM-2 = 1,558 lb. (707 kg)
- Length: 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
- Diameter: 13.5 in (340 mm)
- Warhead: blast fragmentation warhead
- Detonation mechanism: radar and contact fuse
- Engine: dual thrust, solid-fuel rocket
- Wingspan: 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m)
- Operational range: 40 to 90 NMI (74 to 167 km)
- Flight ceiling: > 24,400 m (80,100 ft)
- Speed: Mach 3.5
Buyers Of RIM-66 Standard
RIM-66 Standard is currently used by a large number of countries. Here are the names:
- Australia
- Chile
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Germany
- Iran
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Pakistan
- South Korea
- Spain
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- United States
- Canada
- France
- Greece
Recent Use In The Battlefield
RIM-66 is a standard missile that came into operation in 1968. This missile is used by Navy ships. They are normally equipped with the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System. RIM-66 standard was first used in the early 1970s during the Vietnam War. However, standard missile two became operational in the same year. It was officially deployed with the Aegis Combat system in 1983.
Both standard one and two missiles were used against both surface and air targets. During operation praying Mantis the use of this missile became even more prominent. Only on July 3rd, 1988, USS Vincennes (CG-49) planned to shoot down Iran Air Flight 655. It is an Airbus A300B2 that uses two SM-2MR missiles right from the forward launchers.
Standard Missile 1 & 2
The RIM-66 A is a medium ranged missile that was developed to replace RIM-24C. It became a part of the “Tartar” Guided Missile Fire Control System. Moreover, it uses a fuselage to make it easy for the launchers to introduce their attacks. RIM-66A/B is a semi-active radar just like the earlier version. However, with all the new features it turned out to be better than before. This missile was first used in the Vietnam War. The only remaining version that is in service is the RIM-66E (SM-1MR Block VI).
When it comes to RIM-66C/D it was developed in the 1970s. It remained to be an important part of the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade (NTU). The best thing is that this standard two missile is capable of handling bigger threats. This is why the new version is used as a Standard missile in the U.S. Navy and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
FAQs
1. What Is Standard Missile?
The standard missile refers to the family of shipborne guided missiles. The RIM-66 Standard (SM-1MR/SM-2MR) is manufactured in the USA. It is a medium-range surface-to-air missile. Moreover, it is the updated version of the RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missile. RIM-66 standard is currently used by the US Navy.
2. What Is The Cost of RIM-66 Standard?
The total cost of the RIM-66 standard is $421,400. This missile is manufactured by the USA and is currently operated in the US and other navies.
3. Is The Sm2 Anti-Ship?
The SM-2 missile can easily chase the threats no matter where they are. Even if the threat is closer to the surface of the water this missile can still catch up. It is easy for the navy to defend itself against anti-ship missiles and aircraft that are out to 90 nautical miles.
4. Who Makes RIM-66 Standard?
The manufacturer of RIM-66 Standard is Raytheon, Aerojet, (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Block IIA). They have invested around US$11.83m (FY2021). The mass of this missile is 1.5t.
Read More: AGM-86 ALCM: Specifications, Buyers & Recent Use In Battlefield
5. How Fast Is RIM-66 Standard?
The speed of RIM-66 Standard is 5 (4,290 km/h; 2,660 mph; 1.19 km/s). It is used by the US navy as it boasts powerful specifications. The wingspan of the RIM-66 Standard is 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m). While the operational range happens to be around 40 to 92 NMI (74 to 170 km).
