Standard Missile is an all-weather, ship-launched, medium- to long-range, fleet air defense missile system family that provides advanced air defense for an entire fleet area. The supersonic, tail-controlled weapons are widely deployed aboard combatant ships of the U.S. and allied navies, offering protection from airborne threats at a range of nearly 80 miles from the ship. While the program dates back to the 1960s, Standard Missile has continually incorporated advanced capabilities through evolutionary block changes. The first generation Standard Missile, SM-1, was essentially a home-all-the-way missile in medium- and extended-range versions. The latest generation, SM-2, capitalizes on communication techniques, advanced signal processing and propulsion improvements to substantially increase intercept range, high- and low-altitude intercept capability, and performance against advanced threats. Standard Missile's modular design uses existing investments in ships, launchers, radars, fire control systems and logistics support. Since early 1995, all new orders for Standard Missile have been received through Standard Missile Company (SMCo), an independent, fully capitalized company jointly and equally owned by Hughes Missile Systems Company, Tucson, Arizona, and Raytheon Electronic Systems Division, Bedford, Massachusetts, to develop and produce Standard Missile.

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