Can SM-3 missile be converted into anti-ship missile?

L

Lc89

ACCESS: Secret
Joined
10 August 2019
Messages
431
Reaction score
354
Could the Sm 3 missile be converted into a anti-ship missile? The speed of the latest version is mach 13.2.
 
The upper stage has no warhead and can't maneuver in the atmosphere, so no. The booster could be adapted to a hypersonic vehicle, potentially. The next version of SM-6, which also uses a 21" motor like SM-3, will undoubtedly have a surface-to-surface mode.
 
Moose said:
The upper stage has no warhead and can't maneuver in the atmosphere, so no. The booster could be adapted to a hypersonic vehicle, potentially. The next version of SM-6, which also uses a 21" motor like SM-3, will undoubtedly have a surface-to-surface mode.
Click to expand...

Moose, I know you know this but just to clarify, SM-6 already uses a 21-inch first stage booster, just like SM-3 Block I. The change you're referring to is the switch to a "full caliber" 21-inch missile body. That's for SM-3 Block IIA and the future SM-6 Block IB.
 
TomS said:
Moose said:
The upper stage has no warhead and can't maneuver in the atmosphere, so no. The booster could be adapted to a hypersonic vehicle, potentially. The next version of SM-6, which also uses a 21" motor like SM-3, will undoubtedly have a surface-to-surface mode.
Click to expand...

Moose, I know you know this but just to clarify, SM-6 already uses a 21-inch first stage booster, just like SM-3 Block I. The change you're referring to is the switch to a "full caliber" 21-inch missile body. That's for SM-3 Block IIA and the future SM-6 Block IB.
Click to expand...
That's basically what he said.
 
I have no problem with the clarification, I should have been more clear that my
21" motor
Click to expand...
wasn't referring to the booster anymore.
 
Probably not, but rather unusual design. The missile design is to accelerate by bleeding fuel and weight by successive stages til point all left is kinetic kill vehicles with no warhead. In upper atmosphere missile traveling Mach 13 air is 90% thinner, at troposphere its huge drag generated by that thrust for missile go to target.
Sm2 or SM6 is better ship missiles with an actual explosive warhead
 

Similar threads

Back
Top Bottom