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RIM-67 Standard
RIM-67 Standard
RIM-67 Standard
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The RIM-67 Standard ER (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is an extended range surface-to-air missile (SAM) with a secondary anti-ship capability, originally developed for the United States Navy (USN). The RIM-67 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-8 Talos, a 1950s system deployed on a variety of USN ships, and eventually replaced the RIM-2 Terrier as well, since it was of a similar size and fitted existing Terrier launchers and magazines. The RIM-66 Standard MR was essentially the same missile without the booster stage, designed to replace the RIM-24 Tartar. The RIM-66/67 series thus became the US Navy's universal SAM system, hence the designation "Standard Missile".

Key Information

RIM-67A SM-1 Extended Range

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The RIM-67A (SM-1ER Block I) was the Navy's replacement for RIM-8 Talos missile. Improved technology allowed the RIM-67 to be reduced to the size of the earlier RIM-2 Terrier missile. Existing ships with the Mk86 guided missile fire control system, or "Terrier" were adapted to employ the new missile in place of the older RIM-2 Terrier missile. Ships that switched from the RIM-2 Terrier to the RIM-67A were still referred to as Terrier ships even though they were equipped with the newer missile. [citation needed]

RIM-67B and RIM-156 SM-2 Extended Range

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The second generation of Standard missile, the Standard Missile 2, was developed for the Aegis Combat System, and the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program that was planned for existing Terrier and Tartar ships. The destroyer USS Mahan served as the test platform for the development of the CG/SM-2 (ER) missile program project. The principal change over the Standard Missile 1 is the introduction of inertial guidance for each phase of the missile's flight except the terminal phase where semi-active homing was retained. This design change was made so that missiles could time share illumination radars and enable equipped ships to defend against saturation missile attacks. [citation needed]

Terrier ships reequipped as part of the New Threat Upgrade were refit to operate the RIM-67B (SM-2ER Block I) missile. [citation needed]

The RIM-156A Standard SM-2ER Block IV with the Mk 72 booster was developed to compensate for the lack of a long range SAM for the Ticonderoga class of Aegis cruisers. The Mk72 booster allows the RIM-156A to fit into the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System. This configuration can also be used for Terminal phase Ballistic Missile Defense.[2]

An SM-2ER on the rail inside USS Mahan.

There was a plan to build a nuclear armed standard missile mounting a W81 nuclear warhead as a replacement for the earlier Nuclear Terrier missile (RIM-2D). The USN rescinded the requirement for the nuclear armed missile in the 1980s, and the project was canceled.[3]

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.[4]

RIM-174 Standard Missile 6 ERAM is a new generation of Standard extended range missiles, which became operational in 2013.[5]

As of April 2025, the Navy is considering phasing out the SM-2 series and replacing them with the PAC-3 MSE variant of the MIM-104 Patriot missile system, which can be fired from the same VLS systems but is available in greater numbers, can be produced faster, requires fewer interceptors fired to achieve a kill, and has sufficient maneuverability to engage surface-skimming targets as close as 1km away from the launch vessel (a part of the engagement envelope that the SM-6, which must first boost to high altitudes and dive on a target, cannot engage in as it requires a greater minimum distance).[6]

Operational history

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During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) the United States deployed Standard missiles to protect its navy, as well as other ships in the Persian Gulf from the threat of Iranian attacks. According to the Iranian Air Force, its F-4 Phantom IIs were engaged by SM-2ERs but managed to evade them, with one aircraft sustaining non-fatal damage due to shrapnel.[7] During the same war the United States Navy mistakenly shot down an Iranian civilian airliner, Iran Air Flight 655 using two SM-2 missiles.[8]

On April 18, 1988, during Operation Praying Mantis, the frigate USS Simpson fired four RIM-66 Standard missiles and the cruiser USS Wainwright fired two RIM-67 Standard missiles at Joshan, an Iranian Kaman-class (La Combattante II type) missile boat. The attacks destroyed the Iranian ship's superstructure but did not sink it. [citation needed]

Deployment

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RIM-67A Launching
RIM-67 intercepting Firebee drone in 1980 test.

RIM-67 Standard was deployed on ships of the following classes, replacing the RIM-2 Terrier, and it never was VLS-capable. All of the ships used the AN/SPG-55 for guidance. The Mk10 guided missile launching system was used as the launching system. New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels operated the RIM-67B which used inertial guidance for every phase of the intercept except for the terminal phase where the AN/SPG-55 radar illuminates the target.

The RIM-156 Standard Block IV, is a version that has been developed for the Aegis Combat System it has a smaller compact sized booster stage for firing from the Mk41 Vertical Launching System. Like the earlier RIM-67B it employs inertial/command guidance with terminal semi-active homing.

Variants

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A RIM-156A (VLS version of the RIM-67) launching from a VLS cell on USS Lake Erie in 2008.
Designation Block Notes
RIM-67A SM-1ER Block I Terrier Upgrade
  • Essentially identical to the corresponding SM-1MR missile, except for the propulsion
  • Atlantic Research Corp. MK 30 solid-fuel rocket sustainer motor
  • Hercules MK 12 booster
  • MK 51 continuous-rod warhead
RIM-67B SM-2ER Block I New Threat Upgrade. Entered service in 1980.
  • Inertial Guidance System
  • Monopulse seeker for terminal homing
RIM-67C SM-2ER Block II New Threat Upgrade
  • Introduced Hercules MK 70 booster, almost doubling the effective range
  • MK 115 blast-fragmentation warhead
RIM-67D SM-2ER Block III New Threat Upgrade
  • MK 30 MOD 4 sustainer engine
  • MK 45 MOD 8 proximity fuze (also known as TDD – Target Detection Device)
RIM-156A

(ex-RIM-67E)

SM-2ER Block IV Designed for Aegis VLS ships. Initial Operational Capability was declared in August 1999.
  • Finless MK 72 booster that uses thrust-vectoring control
  • MK 45 MOD 10 TDD, for improved performance against high-performance, low-RCS threats
  • Guidance and control modifications for better performance in severe ECM environments
  • A developmental step toward the Navy Area Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (NATBMD) missile
RIM-156B SM-2ER Block IVA Designed for modified Aegis VLS ships capable of tracking both TBM's and aircraft.
  • Dual-mode RF/IIR (Radio Frequency/Imaging Infrared) seeker
  • Upgraded MK 125 warhead package
  • Enhanced autopilot for the anti-TBM mission

Cancelled as a part of the whole NATBMD program in December 2001.

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  • Blue training missiles on the rails of a MK-10 GMLS on USS Josephus Daniels
    Blue training missiles on the rails of a MK-10 GMLS on USS Josephus Daniels
  • USS Worden showing the Mk 10 GMLS. Note the launcher at left, the blast doors behind launcher where the missiles exit the launcher feeder and AN/SPG-55 radars at middle right.
    USS Worden showing the Mk 10 GMLS. Note the launcher at left, the blast doors behind launcher where the missiles exit the launcher feeder and AN/SPG-55 radars at middle right.
  • An SM-2ER in the magazine area, on a ready service ring of the Mk-10 GMLS on Mahan
    An SM-2ER in the magazine area, on a ready service ring of the Mk-10 GMLS on Mahan
  • The guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur launches a RIM-156 Standard SM-2 ER missile while conducting torpedo evasion maneuvers during Multi-Sail 2009
    The guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur launches a RIM-156 Standard SM-2 ER missile while conducting torpedo evasion maneuvers during Multi-Sail 2009

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

RIM-67 Standard

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from Grokipedia

The RIM-67 Standard was a ship-launched, extended-range developed by the as part of the broader program initiated in 1963 to replace earlier systems such as the and . Designated initially as SM-1ER (RIM-67A) and entering service around 1970, it provided all-weather, supersonic defense against aircraft and missiles at ranges up to approximately 40 nautical miles and altitudes reaching 80,000 feet, with a booster for extended reach compared to the medium-range RIM-66 variant. The missile featured guidance and was launched from Mk 10 twin-arm systems aboard cruisers and destroyers, evolving into the SM-2ER (RIM-67B) configuration by 1981 with enhanced electronics for better performance against low-altitude threats and electronic countermeasures. Deployed on classes including Leahy, Belknap, and Charles F. Adams ships, it formed a cornerstone of fleet area air defense until the , when vertical launch system-compatible successors like the RIM-156A assumed its role amid the retirement of launcher-equipped vessels.

Development

Origins and Program Initiation

The U.S. Navy initiated the program in 1963 to develop a unified family of surface-to-air missiles capable of replacing the long-range system and the RIM-24 Tartar medium-range system, thereby streamlining logistics, enhancing reliability, and improving performance against aerial threats including Soviet antiship missiles. The effort addressed limitations in the older beam-riding guidance of predecessors by adopting , which allowed for greater flexibility in targeting and reduced susceptibility to electronic countermeasures. This standardization across shipboard launchers, such as the Mk 10 and Mk 26 systems, was intended to support a range of platforms from destroyers to cruisers, while incorporating solid-propellant motors for quicker reaction times. The RIM-67 emerged as the extended-range (ER) component of the initial SM-1 series, specifically designed to supersede the on larger surface combatants and eventually the on cruisers. Development emphasized an all-electric actuation system with , slashing booster warm-up from 27 seconds to approximately 1.8 seconds, which enabled rapid salvo fire against saturation attacks. Prototype test flights commenced in 1965, paving the way for the first production SM-1 missiles to enter operational service in 1967, with the RIM-67A SM-1ER variant achieving initial deployment around 1970 on Terrier-equipped ships. This phase marked the transition from bespoke missile designs to a modular, upgradeable that would underpin decades of naval air defense evolution.

Design Evolution and Key Technologies

The RIM-67 Standard missile program originated in 1963 as part of the U.S. Navy's effort to consolidate and upgrade systems, replacing the larger and adapting to the dimensions of the while utilizing compatible launchers like the Mk 10 Guided Missile Launching System. The initial RIM-67A (SM-1ER Block I) entered service in 1970, featuring a compact reduced to Terrier proportions through advancements in materials and component integration, enabling deployment on cruisers and destroyers previously limited by Talos' bulk. This evolution addressed reliability issues in predecessors by incorporating an all-electric actuation system for control surfaces, eliminating hydraulics, and adopting with battery power, which slashed missile warm-up time from 27 seconds to approximately 1.8 seconds. Subsequent iterations under the RIM-67 designation advanced guidance and propulsion for enhanced performance against evolving threats. The RIM-67B (SM-2ER Block I), introduced in 1980, integrated inertial midcourse guidance with a monopulse seeker for terminal , improving accuracy over the SM-1ER's command midcourse and beam-riding modes. Further blocks, such as RIM-67C (SM-2ER Block II) in the , employed the Mk 70 booster to extend range to about 185 km, while RIM-67D (SM-2ER Block III) upgraded to the Mk 30 Mod 4 sustainer and Mk 45 Mod 8 target detection device for better low-altitude intercept capability. These developments prioritized compatibility with legacy platforms while incorporating New Threat Upgrade features for defense. Key technologies centered on via a solid-fuel configuration: an initial Mk 12 or Mk 70 booster for launch acceleration, followed by a Mk 30 sustainer dual-thrust motor providing sustained velocity up to 80,000 feet altitude and ranges of 73 km or more. Guidance combined optional midcourse command updates from shipboard s with terminal semi-active homing against illuminated targets, later augmented by inertial navigation to reduce dependency and enable over-the-horizon engagements. Control systems relied on adaptive autopilots and electric actuators for maneuverability, contributing to the missile's 2,980-pound and 26-foot profile optimized for storage and rapid reload.

Technical Characteristics

Propulsion and Guidance Systems

The RIM-67 Standard utilizes a two-stage propulsion system, comprising a booster stage for initial high-thrust acceleration and a sustainer stage for prolonged flight to achieve extended range capabilities beyond those of medium-range variants. This configuration, with the booster providing rapid ascent and the sustainer maintaining velocity, enables ranges up to approximately 100-200 nautical miles depending on the variant and launch conditions. The solid-fuel design ensures reliability, simplicity, and rapid launch readiness from shipboard systems like the Mk 10 launcher. Guidance for the RIM-67 combines midcourse and terminal phases tailored to its extended range requirements. In the SM-1ER (RIM-67A) , midcourse guidance relies on radio command updates from the launching ship's to direct the toward a predicted intercept zone, transitioning to (SARH) in the terminal phase where the homes on radar reflections from the target illuminated by the ship's . The SM-2ER (RIM-67B) incorporates an with programmable autopilot for autonomous midcourse flight, reducing reliance on continuous command links, while retaining monopulse SARH for terminal guidance to enhance resistance against electronic countermeasures. This dual-mode approach allows effective engagement of high-altitude, long-range threats such as and s.

Warhead, Range, and Performance Metrics

The RIM-67 Standard utilized a 137-pound (62 kg) high-explosive , designed to generate a lethal fragmentation pattern against aerial targets through radial dispersion of metal rods upon detonation. This was armed with a dual-mode system incorporating both proximity detection for air bursts and contact initiation for direct impacts, enhancing lethality across varied engagement geometries. Subsequent SM-2ER variants, such as Block IIIA, incorporated an upgraded that directed fragment velocity toward the target for improved transfer and penetration. Range capabilities distinguished the RIM-67 as an extended-range system relative to medium-range counterparts, with the RIM-67A (SM-1ER) achieving effective intercepts up to 80,000 yards (73 km) against air threats, supported by its dual-thrust sustainer and booster propulsion. The RIM-67B (SM-2ER) extended this to approximately 200,000 yards (183 km), enabling defense against longer-lofted anti-ship missiles, though operational ranges were constrained by , target dynamics, and launcher elevation. In target roles, demonstrated ranges reached 275 km (150 nautical miles) at altitudes up to 85 km, underscoring the missile's kinematic potential under optimal conditions. Key performance metrics included a maximum exceeding Mach 3, facilitating rapid closure on high-speed maneuvering targets, and an engagement ceiling surpassing feet (24 km) for high-altitude intercepts. The missile's guidance, augmented by inertial midcourse updates in SM-2 variants, supported high-altitude, long-range acquisition with reported single-shot kill probabilities above 80% in controlled tests against drone surrogates, though combat-derived figures remain classified. Total missile weight for the ER configuration approximated 2,980 pounds (1,350 kg) with booster, contributing to a launch-to-intercept timeline under 2 minutes for nominal profiles.

Variants

RIM-67A (SM-1ER)

The RIM-67A, also known as the Standard Missile-1 Extended Range (SM-1ER), served as the U.S. Navy's primary extended-range from the late 1960s, designed to replace the larger while matching the dimensions of the for compatibility with existing Mk 10 launchers. Initiated under the broader program in 1963 to unify replacements for Terrier and Tartar systems, the RIM-67A incorporated a solid-fuel booster stage ( MK 12) beneath the MK 30 sustainer motor, enabling greater range than the medium-range RIM-66 SM-1MR counterpart, which lacked the booster. Service entry occurred in 1968, with full deployment by 1970 on platforms equipped with the AN/SPG-55 radar and Mk 86 fire control system. Key advancements in the RIM-67A included an all-electric actuation system replacing , for enhanced reliability, and a battery-powered design that reduced launcher warm-up time from 26 seconds in predecessors to approximately 1 second. Guidance relied on , with the missile illuminated by shipboard radars until impact, supporting intercepts of aircraft, missiles, and surface targets. The "wooden round" concept allowed missiles to remain in storage for up to three years without testing, improving logistical efficiency.
ParameterSpecification
Length7.98 m (26 ft 2 in)
1,341 kg (2,980 lb)
Diameter34 cm (13.5 in)
Wingspan1.58 m (62 in)
Range65 km (35-40 nm)
Maximum Altitude24,380 m (80,000 ft)
SpeedMach 2.5
Warhead113 kg (250 lb) continuous rod (MK 51)
PropulsionMK 30 sustainer + MK 12 booster ()
Operationally, the RIM-67A equipped nuclear cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), Farragut-class destroyers, and Leahy-class cruisers via the Mk 10 guided missile launching system, providing area air defense with a secondary anti-surface capability. During the Iran-Iraq War, it protected U.S. Navy vessels in the , culminating in its combat debut on April 18, 1988, when fired RIM-67A missiles in , damaging an Iranian fast-attack craft. Performance matched Terrier's 40 nm range and 80,000 ft ceiling but with superior readiness and adaptability via an for varying threats. The variant was later superseded by the RIM-67B SM-2ER, which added inertial navigation for extended-range terminal guidance.

RIM-67B (SM-2ER)

The RIM-67B, designated SM-2ER Block I, was the initial extended-range variant of the -2 family, introduced as part of the U.S. Navy's New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program to enhance fleet air defense against advanced aerial threats. It entered operational service in 1981, replacing earlier SM-1ER missiles like the RIM-67A by incorporating an for the midcourse flight phase, which allowed for more efficient compared to the beam-riding guidance of predecessors. This upgrade enabled the missile to receive command updates to a designated "homing basket" near the target's projected position, reducing the need for continuous illumination and improving resilience against saturation attacks. Guidance transitioned to semi-active radar homing in the terminal phase using the AN/SPG-55 radar for illumination, maintaining compatibility with Mk 10 launch systems on NTU-refitted ships such as destroyers and cruisers. The RIM-67B featured a programmable for optimized flight paths, marking it as the first U.S. tactical with full inertial guidance integration. Propulsion relied on a dual-thrust solid-propellant sustainer (Mk 30 Mod 2) augmented by a separate booster, achieving speeds up to Mach 3.5 and supporting engagements at altitudes exceeding 80,000 feet.
CharacteristicSpecification
Length (without booster)26.2 feet (7.9 m)
13.5 inches (34 cm)
62 inches (1.6 m)
2,980 lb (1,341 kg)
250 lb (113 kg) continuous rod
Range7,000–200,000 yards (6.4–183 km)
The missile's design emphasized modularity for future upgrades, though its reliance on older Mk 10 launchers limited rapid-fire capabilities on newer platforms, necessitating adaptations like manual finning. Production focused on NTU-equipped vessels, contributing to enhanced area defense until succeeded by later blocks and variants.

RIM-156A (SM-2ER Block IV)

The RIM-156A, designated as the Standard Missile-2 Extended Range (SM-2ER) Block IV, is a vertically launched surface-to-air missile developed to equip Aegis-equipped warships with an extended-range capability absent in earlier medium-range variants. It features a new Mk 72 booster stage optimized for the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS), enabling compatibility with Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Development originated from the 1983 Outer Air Battle study and formally began in July 1987 to address the need for high-altitude, long-range air defense against aircraft and cruise missiles. The missile measures 6.55 meters in length, including the booster, with a launch weight of approximately 1,450 kg and a diameter of 0.34 meters for the missile body, expanding to 0.53 meters with the booster. Propulsion consists of the Mk 104 dual-thrust solid-fuel sustainer motor for midcourse flight and the finless, thrust-vector-controlled Mk 72 booster for initial launch, achieving speeds up to Mach 3.5 and a maximum range of 240 km at altitudes up to 33 km. Guidance employs an inertial navigation system with command updates during the midcourse phase, transitioning to semi-active radar homing in the terminal phase, enhanced by a digital autopilot and upgraded seeker for engaging low-radar-cross-section targets and those employing electronic countermeasures. Compared to the rail-launched RIM-67B (SM-2ER Block III), the RIM-156A incorporates a shorter booster without control fins, relying on for stability, and builds on Block IIIB improvements for better maneuverability against agile threats. It carries a blast-fragmentation optimized for area air defense, with later modifications in 2006 adapting 75 units for terminal-phase interception of ballistic missiles, including anti-ship variants. Initial operational capability was achieved in August 1999 following the first sea-based test in 1994, though production was limited to about 100 missiles due to program uncertainties and the emergence of successors. The RIM-156A entered service primarily with the U.S. Navy for fleet air defense, integrated via the on VLS-equipped platforms, but has been progressively phased out in favor of the multi-role (SM-6) since the early 2010s. No combat engagements are documented, but it contributed foundational technologies to subsequent developments, including enhanced for defense roles.

Operational Deployment

Integration with US Navy Platforms

The RIM-67 Standard missile was integrated into US Navy platforms via the Mark 10 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS), a twin-arm launcher designed originally for the and adapted for the extended-range Standard variants. This system featured below-deck magazines holding up to 40-60 missiles per launcher, with rapid reloading via blast door elevators, and relied on AN/SPG-55 or AN/SPG-59 radars for target illumination in semi-active homing mode. Deployment began in the late 1960s on select guided missile cruisers and destroyers, replacing Terrier systems to provide area air defense with ranges exceeding 100 nautical miles. Primary platforms included the Leahy-class cruisers (CG-16 through CG-20), which received RIM-67A (SM-1ER) upgrades starting around 1969, as demonstrated by USS Leahy (CG-16) firing test missiles that year. The Belknap-class cruisers (CG-26 through CG-34) followed suit, transitioning from Terrier to RIM-67 in the early 1980s, with each typically mounting two Mk 10 launchers forward and aft for dual-end fire capability. Coontz-class destroyers (DDG-1 through DDG-10), also known as Farragut/Coontz variants, integrated the missile on ships like USS Mahan (DDG-42) and USS Dewey (DDG-45), though their smaller size limited magazine capacity compared to cruisers. Nuclear-powered vessels such as USS Bainbridge (CGN-25) and USS Long Beach (CGN-9) incorporated single forward Mk 10 launchers alongside other armament, enabling SM-1ER operations from the late 1960s. The New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program, initiated in the , extended integration to the RIM-67B (SM-2ER) on upgraded Leahy and Belknap-class ships, adding dual-mode seekers and improved for better performance against saturation attacks and electronic countermeasures. NTU refits, completed on most of these platforms by the early , enhanced radar processing and fire control integration but were not applied to all vessels due to cost constraints. Unlike the medium-range RIM-66, the RIM-67's larger size precluded compatibility with Mark 26 twin-rail launchers on nuclear cruisers like (CGN-36/37) or (CGN-38-41) classes, nor was it adapted for the vertical launch systems (VLS) introduced on Ticonderoga-class cruisers. This restriction confined RIM-67 operations to legacy Mk 10-equipped hulls until their decommissioning in the .

Combat Engagements and Exercises

The RIM-67 Standard extended-range variants were deployed aboard U.S. Navy surface combatants in the during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) to provide area air defense for naval forces and reflagged Kuwaiti tankers, but no confirmed instances of these missiles being fired against enemy targets are documented. Testing and exercises demonstrated the missile's intercept capabilities against aerial targets. In 1980, an RIM-67 successfully engaged a Firebee drone during a test at White Sands Missile Range, validating its homing and propulsion performance in a simulated threat scenario. Additional evaluations at White Sands included vertical launch system (VLS) integration trials, where an SM-2ER variant (RIM-67 designation) launched from a Mk 41 VLS intercepted a BQM-34A Firebee target drone, confirming compatibility with modular launchers and extended-range kinematics. The later RIM-156A (SM-2ER Block IV) variant participated in multinational fleet exercises, such as Multi-Sail 2009, where USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) fired the missile during combined torpedo evasion and air defense maneuvers, showcasing with allied forces and dual-threat (air and surface) engagement potential. These drills emphasized the system's role in layered fleet defense, with launches verifying guidance accuracy against maneuvering targets under operational conditions.

International Adoption and Retirement

Export and Foreign Service

The RIM-67 Standard missile was exported primarily to allies to enhance fleet air defense interoperability, with adoption focused on navies operating compatible Mk 10 guided missile launching systems (GMLS) derived from U.S. Terrier-era platforms. Italy's Marina Militare received the RIM-67A (SM-1ER) variant for its -class helicopter cruisers (C 550 and C 551 Caio Duilio), which were originally equipped with missiles and upgraded in the late to fire the extended-range Standard for area defense roles. These ships carried up to 40 RIM-67 missiles in their magazines, supporting operations in the Mediterranean and exercises until decommissioning between 1989 and 1991. The Royal Netherlands Navy also adopted the RIM-67A for its Tromp-class guided missile destroyers (D 808 HNLMS Tromp and D 809 HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën), leveraging the Mk 10 GMLS for long-range surface-to-air engagements during patrols and multinational operations. These vessels, commissioned in the early 1970s, utilized the missile's dual-thrust configuration for intercepts beyond 40 nautical miles, contributing to Organization () area defense until the class's retirement in the mid-1990s. The limited export of the extended-range variant reflected its requirement for larger hulls and magazines, contrasting with the broader adoption of medium-range RIM-66 Standards on smaller destroyers and frigates. Subsequent RIM-67B (SM-2ER) upgrades were pursued by some recipients under the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program, incorporating inertial guidance and improved illumination for better performance against low-altitude threats. However, foreign service remained confined to legacy platforms, as transitioning allies increasingly favored vertical launch systems (VLS) for later blocks. By the 2000s, international focus shifted to SM-2 medium-range variants, with over 13 navies operating Standard family missiles, though extended-range configurations like the RIM-67 saw phase-out in non-U.S. inventories due to obsolescence and successor integrations.

Phasing Out and Successor Transition

The RIM-67 Standard ER missiles, including SM-1ER and SM-2ER variants, were phased out of U.S. Navy frontline service during the 1990s as older surface combatants equipped with the Mk 10 Guided Missile Launching System were systematically decommissioned. These platforms, such as the Belknap-class cruisers and Charles F. Adams-class destroyers, required the rail-based Mk 10 for RIM-67 operations due to the missile's size and storage needs below deck. The nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN-9), among the final U.S. vessels to retain the capability, was decommissioned on May 13, 1995, marking the effective end of RIM-67 operations on legacy non-VLS ships. To restore extended-range surface-to-air capabilities on modern combatants employing the Mk 41 , the fielded the RIM-156A (SM-2ER Block IV) starting in 1999, with initial operational capability declared that year. This finless, booster-equipped variant matched or exceeded prior ER performance while enabling vertical launch from Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, facilitating a seamless transition without rail launchers. Production of the RIM-156A continued into the 2000s, but the began prioritizing its replacement amid evolving threats requiring multi-role versatility. The RIM-174 Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) serves as the definitive successor, achieving initial operating capability in and expanding the family's roles to include terminal defense and alongside air defense. Derived from the SM-2 Block IV with an active seeker and dual-pulse motor, the SM-6 offers greater range—estimated at over 370 km—and altitude , addressing limitations in legacy ER missiles against hypersonic and sea-skimming threats. By 2023, the was ramping up SM-6 procurement to supplant remaining SM-2 inventories, including Block IV stocks, with annual buys projected to reach 300 units by 2029 as part of broader fleet modernization. Internationally, RIM-67 adoption waned as export recipients retired Mk 10-equipped vessels; the Italian Navy's (C550), the final known operator, decommissioned in 2003 without a direct ER successor. Other users, such as and former allies, shifted to VLS-compatible Standards or indigenous systems, reflecting the global pivot from rail-launched ER missiles to modular vertical systems.

Evaluation

Strategic Achievements and Effectiveness

The RIM-67 Standard missile, evolving through SM-1ER and SM-2ER variants, provided the US Navy with extended-range area air defense capabilities critical for protecting carrier strike groups and surface combatants from high-altitude aircraft and missile threats. With a maximum range exceeding 100 nautical miles, it replaced legacy systems like the , offering improved inertial navigation for mid-course guidance and for terminal phase intercepts, thereby enhancing fleet-level deterrence during the and beyond. In , the SM-2ER variants demonstrated effectiveness by achieving intercepts at ranges up to 70 nautical miles, surpassing design specifications and validating its performance against representative aerial targets such as drones. The missile's integration with fire control systems like the AN/SPG-55 radar on Mk 10 launchers enabled simultaneous engagements of multiple threats, contributing to layered defense architectures that prioritized high-value asset protection. The RIM-156A (SM-2 Block IV) variant marked a strategic advancement by incorporating dual-thrust solid rocket motors and a modified for terminal-phase intercepts, expanding the system's role in theater while maintaining compatibility with vertical launch systems. This upgrade supported engagements of short-range at altitudes below 20 kilometers, bolstering naval contributions to without requiring entirely new platforms. Overall, the RIM-67 family's reliability in exercises and tests, coupled with its adaptability to evolving threats, solidified its status as a cornerstone of US naval air superiority, enabling sustained by mitigating risks from long-range anti-ship cruise missiles and aircraft formations.

Limitations, Criticisms, and Development Challenges

The development of the RIM-67 Standard missile, initiated in 1963 as a replacement for the unreliable and systems, faced challenges in achieving higher reliability and compatibility with existing naval platforms. Predecessor missiles like Tartar suffered from limited range—initially as short as 5,000 yards—and guidance electronics failures, prompting the Standard program's spiral development approach to incrementally address these through upgrades such as and reduced warmup times from 26 seconds to 1 second. Early versions retained some inherited issues, including timing problems against diverse targets, which were mitigated in later blocks but highlighted the iterative nature of fixing single-point failures in guidance and autopilot systems. A key limitation of the RIM-67's system was its dependence on continuous shipboard illuminator guidance, which created bottlenecks in engaging multiple simultaneous , as each required dedicated radar illumination and restricted salvo sizes against saturation attacks. The extended-range design, while doubling effective reach to approximately 100 nautical miles in initial variants, involved trade-offs in altitude performance and compatibility; for instance, the RIM-67C Block II's enhanced MK 70 booster exceeded limits on legacy Terrier-equipped ships, necessitating platform-specific adaptations. Integration with newer systems proved challenging, as early RIM-67 variants were not initially compatible, requiring subsequent blocks like the RIM-67B to incorporate inertial guidance and monopulse seekers for improved autonomy. Criticisms centered on the missile's secondary anti-ship role, which was not optimized in design and relied on unproven adaptations rather than dedicated capabilities, limiting its versatility against surface threats. Later evolutionary efforts, such as the SM-2 Block IV (related RIM-156A), encountered significant delays in due to booster separation failures and programmatic instability, resulting in only 100 units procured before phasing toward successors like the SM-6. These issues underscored broader challenges in scaling extended-range performance without compromising launcher compatibility or increasing vulnerability to electronic countermeasures, as the system's reliance on illumination remained a persistent constraint until active homing transitions in advanced variants.

References

  1. https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-67.html
  2. https://www.seaforces.org/wpnsys/SURFACE/RIM-67-Standard-Missile-ER.htm
  3. http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WMUS_Standard-1_ER_RIM67A.php
  4. https://www.navalgazing.net/Standard-Part-1
  5. http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WMUS_Standard-2_ER_RIM67B.php
  6. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/sm-2.htm
  7. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2020/april/spiral-development-standard-missile
  8. https://www.airvectors.net/avusam_4.html
  9. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/sm-1.htm
  10. https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/standard-missile-2-sm-2-us/
  11. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/sm-specs.htm
  12. https://missilethreat.csis.org/defsys/standard-missile-2-block-iv/
  13. https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-156.html
  14. https://www.seaforces.org/wpnsys/SURFACE/Mk-10-missile-launcher.htm
  15. https://naval-encyclopedia.com/cold-war/us/leahy-class-cruisers.php
  16. https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-standard-ersm-2-rim-67-surface-to-air-missile-right-just-launched-from-the-a35384
  17. https://www.seaforces.org/marint/Italian-Navy/Helicopter-Cruiser/Andrea-Doria-class.htm
  18. https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/sea/sm-2-missile
  19. https://www.thearmorylife.com/uss-long-beach-nuclear-cruiser/
  20. https://missilethreat.csis.org/defsys/sm-6/
  21. https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/techdigest/content/techdigest/pdf/V22-N03/22-03-Montoya.pdf
  22. https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169011/standard-missile/
  23. https://www.quora.com/When-the-early-US-Navy-Standard-Missiles-RIM-66-67-were-first-released-were-they-advertised-as-performing-an-anti-ship-role-or-was-this-only-widely-acknowledged-after-they-were-used-in-Operation-Praying-Mantis
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