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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

STANDARD MISSILE-2 (SM-2)

Navy ACAT IC Program SM-2 Blocks I-IIIB: 11,505 missiles SM-2 Block IV: 153 missiles Total program cost (TY$): Blocks I - IIIB: $8,487.3M Block IV: $807.9M Average unit cost (TY$): Blocks I - IIIB: $0.659M Block IV: $2.719M Full-rate production SM-2 Block IIIA: 2QFY92 SM-2 Block IIIB: 4QFY96 SM-2 Block IV: - Did not occur Prime Contractor Raytheon Company Bristol, TN Standard Missile Company McLean, VA Hughes Missiles Systems Company Tucson, AZ

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The SM-2 is a solid propellant-fueled, tail-controlled, SAM fired by surface ships. Designed to counter high-speed, high-altitude anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) in an advanced ECM environment, its primary mode of target engagement uses mid-course guidance with radar illumination of the target by the ship for missile homing during the terminal phase. The Block II version of SM-2 includes a signal processor to provide less vulnerability to ECM, an improved fuze and focused-blast fragment warhead to provide better kill probability against smaller, harder targets, and new propulsion for higher velocities and maneuverability. The SM-2 can be used against surface targets.

A Block III version of SM-2 provides improved capability against low altitude targets. A modification to this version, designated Block IIIA, extends capability to even lower altitudes. Block IIIA includes a new warhead that imparts greater velocity to warhead fragments in the direction of the target. These SM-2 versions are provided as medium range (MR) rounds that can be fired from Aegis rail launchers, Aegis vertical launch systems (VLS), and Tartar rail launchers. Another MR version, designated Block IIIB, adds a passive infrared (IR) seeker for an alternate guidance channel. A Block IV version was developed to provide extended range, improved cross-range and higher altitude capability for Aegis VLS ships, as well as improved performance against low RCS targets and against complex ECM. Block IVA is being developed to provide capability against theater ballistic missiles, although it is planned to retain capability against anti-air warfare threats.

SM-2 Blocks II through IV are long-range interceptors that provide protection against aircraft and antiship missiles, thereby expanding the battlespace. This capability contributes to the JV 2010 operational concept of full-dimensional protection.

Full production approvals for SM-2 Blocks have been as follows: Block II was approved in December 1986; Block III in June 1988; Block IIIA in February 1992; and Block IIIB in September 1996, following the OPEVAL summarized below. Block IV was approved for LRIP in May 1995, but further development and procurement were deferred, depending on development of the Block IVA missile, the interceptor for the Navy Area TBMD program, and Block IVA retention of Block IV capability against anti-air warfare threats. We note that since only early IOT&E of SM-2 Block IV was conducted to support its LRIP decision, its capability was never fully determined (capability was not demonstrated against ASCM threat representative, maneuvering targets nor against low altitude, low Doppler targets). That is, the Block IV program was restructured, with the intention to proceed to DT&E/OT&E to support a full production decision if technical problems are encountered with development of the SM-2 Block IVA that preclude its retention of Block IV capability (never fully determined) against anti-air warfare threats.

OPEVAL of SM-2 Block IIIB was conducted during April 1996, with missile firings by an Aegis cruiser that was completing workup training for deployment. Based on OPEVAL results, we concluded that SM-2 Block IIIB is operationally effective and suitable. Our BLRIP Report was published in August 1996.

Although there was no T&E activity per se during FY97, there was considerable activity to understand the cause of the degraded minimum range performance observed during the FY96 OPEVAL of SM-2 Block IIIB and develop a correction. This included planning for a developmental test of the proposed correction (planned for early FY99), as well as FOT&E with LRIP rounds. Similar planning was conducted for testing of Block IV LRIP rounds.

The remaining operational test program for SM-2 Block IIIB will consist of several missile firings conducted in conjunction with training exercises when feasible and as independent OT when not. Adequacy of the test program is undetermined at this time considered adequate for demonstrating correction of the minimum range performance deficiency and for examining areas not tested during the OPEVAL.

Based on the FY96 OT&E of SM-2 Block IIIB, as well as precursor DT, the Block IIIB modeling and simulation did not predict the loss of missile flight stability against near minimum range targets, as the missile executes a pitchover maneuver from the vertical launch orientation to a flyout path. (Wind tunnel tests were subsequently conducted under low Mach number conditions to collect data for improving the model such that it more accurately predicts missile behavior during the pitchover maneuver. A correction to address the instability effect has been developed.)