RIM-66 Standard missile 1
The RIM-66A is the medium ranged version of the Standard missile and was initially developed as a replacement for the earlier RIM-24C as part of the Mk74 "Tartar" Guided Missile Fire Control System. It used the same fuselage as the earlier Tartar missile, for easier use with existing launchers and magazines for that system. The RIM-66A/B is a semi-active radar homing missile like the earlier RIM-24C, but with many improvements that make it more capable than its predecessor. The RIM-66A/B Standard MR, (SM-1MR Block I to V) was used during the Vietnam War. The only remaining version in service is the RIM-66E (SM-1MR Block VI). While no longer in service with the USN, the missile is still in service with Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System equipped vessels, Mk 92 Guided Missile Fire Control System equipped vessels, and other compatible systems in many navies.
RIM-66 Standard missile 2
The RIM-66C/D Standard MR (SM-2MR Block I), was developed in the 1970s and was a key part of the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade (NTU). The SM-2MR introduced inertial and command mid-course guidance. The missile's autopilot is programmed to fly the most efficient path to the target and can receive course corrections from the ground. Target illumination for semi-active homing is needed only for a few seconds in the terminal phase of the interception. This capability enables the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels to time share illumination radars, greatly increasing the number of targets that can be engaged at one time. In the middle 1980s, the SM-2MR was deployed via Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) aboard the USS Bunker Hill, the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy a vertical launcher. VLS has, since 2003, been the only launcher used for the Standard missile in the U.S. Navy aboard Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
The SM-1 and SM-2 were continuously upgraded through Blocks (see below).
The Standard can also be used against ships, either at line-of-sight range using its semi-active homing mode, or over the horizon using inertial guidance and terminal infrared homing.
| RIM-66 Standard MR | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium range surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1967 (RIM-66A SM-1MR Block I) 1979 (RIM-66C SM-2MR) |
| Used by | United States Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Turkish Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, German Navy, Canadian Navy, and Others |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon and others |
| Produced | 1967 Onwards |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 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 fuze |
| | |
| Engine | dual thrust, solid fuel rocket |
| Wingspan | 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) |
| Operational range | 40 to 90 nmi (74 to 170 km) |
| Flight ceiling | > 24,400 m (80,100 ft) |
| Speed | Mach 3.5 |
| Guidance system | SM-2 Block IIIA Command and Inertial midcourse guidance with monopulse semi-active radar homing in the terminal phase of the interception. Block IIIB missiles have additionally dual infrared/semi-active terminal homing. SM-1 missiles have monopulse semi-active radar homing without command and inertial mid-course guidance. |
| Launch platform | Surface Ship |
Surface to air variants
| Designation | Block | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RIM-66A | SM-1MR Block I to IV | Digital Tartar | In Service 1967, Conscan radar seeker |
| RIM-66B | SM-1MR Block V | Digital Tartar | Plane scanning seeker |
| RIM-66C | SM-2MR Block I | Aegis combat system, Mk26 launcher | MK 115 blast-fragmentation warhead Monopulse seeker for ECM resistance |
| RIM-66D | SM-2MR Block I | New Threat Upgrade | First New Threat Upgrade version |
| RIM-66E | SM-1MR Blocks VI, VIA, VIB | Digital Tartar and Mk 92 Fire Control System. | In service 1983. Version still in service with export customers. Adds monopulse seeker developed for Standard missile 2. |
| RIM-66G | SM-2MR Block II | Aegis combat system, Mk26 launcher | In Service 1983. |
| RIM-66H | SM-2MR Block II | Aegis combat system, Mk41 Launcher | Added Thiokol MK 104 rocket motor, increasing range High-velocity fragmentation warhead |
| RIM-66J | SM-2MR Block II | New Threat Upgrade | |
| RIM-66K-1 | SM-2MR Block III | New Threat Upgrade | |
| RIM-66K-2 | SM-2MR Block IIIA | New Threat Upgrade | In Production. |
| RIM-66L-1 | SM-2MR Block III | Aegis combat system, Mk26 launcher | |
| RIM-66L-2 | SM-2MR Block IIIA | Aegis combat system, Mk26 launcher | |
| RIM-66M-1 | SM-2MR Block III | Aegis combat system, Mk41 Launcher | Improved MK 45 MOD 9 target detecting device, for low altitude targets |
| RIM-66M-2 | SM-2MR Block IIIA | Aegis combat system, Mk41 Launcher | MK 125 warhead. In production. |
| RIM-66M-5 | SM-2MR Block IIIB | Aegis combat system, Mk41 Launcher | Missile Homing Improvement Program (MHIP), dual IR / SARH seeker, IR seeker mounted on side fairing. In Production. |
