Following a series of land-based tests, the latest in the Standard Missile series, the SM-6, is now being prepared for seaborne tests. Developed by Raytheon, the SM-6 anti-air missile (AAM) is expected to be the successor of the SM-2 which is currently used by several navies worldwide aboard their area air-defense destroyers and frigates. In Asia, the likely customers of the SM-6 are the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), both of which are currently the sole Asian operators of the SM-2. The SM-6 is expected to possess significantly greater range as well as a more sophisticated and sensitive guidance systems.
The likely ships to carry the SM-6 may include the ROKN's Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin class (KDX-2), AEGIS-equipped Sejong the Great class (KDX-3), and the next-generation KDX-2A destroyers and the JMSDF's AEGIS-equipped Kongo class and Atago class destroyers as well as the 19DD destroyers currently under construction.
Aside from China, the Republic of Korea and Japan are the only two East Asian countries possessing long-range AAM's, as such seaborne missiles can only be operated from major surface combatants, or ships with displacements above approximately 4,500 tons. Such large displacements are required to accommodate the physical dimension of the missile, most notably its length when placed in a vertical launch system (VLS), as well as the sensor suite and accompanied consoles required to properly operate longer range missiles. Simply, the SM series are normally operated by navies with wealthy national economies capable of affording some of the largest and most sophisticated naval vessels.
Aside from China, the Republic of Korea and Japan are the only two East Asian countries possessing long-range AAM's, as such seaborne missiles can only be operated from major surface combatants, or ships with displacements above approximately 4,500 tons. Such large displacements are required to accommodate the physical dimension of the missile, most notably its length when placed in a vertical launch system (VLS), as well as the sensor suite and accompanied consoles required to properly operate longer range missiles. Simply, the SM series are normally operated by navies with wealthy national economies capable of affording some of the largest and most sophisticated naval vessels.
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