Navy fires first SM6 en route to enhanced capabilities

The RAN destroyer HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful firing of a Standard Missile 6, or SM6, representing a step-change in the lethality, air and missile defence, and long-range strike capability of Navy’s surface combatant fleet. The SM6 will be progressively deployed across Navy’s Hobart-class destroyers and, in the future, the Hunter-class frigates.

In response to Australia’s challenging strategic circumstances, the missiles will enhance deterrence by rapidly boosting the Navy’s long-range strike capabilities and providing greater capacity to strike maritime, land and air targets at longer distances.

“This is another example of the acceleration in acquisitions of critical capabilities for the Navy that enhances lethality within the surface combatant fleet and the capacity for the ADF to safeguard Australians and their interests,” said Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy. “Standard Missile 6 is being acquired from the United States and will provide Navy’s surface combatants with an enhanced air and missile defence capability, increasing the fleet’s lethality and survivability.

“The ability to deter an adversary from extended ranges and to deter attempts to project power against Australia is a core part of the National Defence Strategy.”

The SM6 augments the RAN’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capable platforms, says Defence. Australia has three guided missile destroyers (DDG) in service and will equip them with the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system which will provide the ability to counter airborne threats, including ballistic missiles.

“HMAS Sydney’s first-of-class firings of both Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6 in less than a month is a clear demonstration of Navy’s intent to deliver on our commitment to accelerate our ability to support Defence’s strategy of denial in concert with our key Allies and partners,” according to Chief of Navy VADM Mark Hammond AO.

The ADF is also establishing the underpinning architecture to connect active missile defence systems through the development of the Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS), being acquired under Project AIR6500, which provides the foundation for further capabilities to be added over time.

The firing of SM6 was conducted during Exercise Pacific Dragon 2024 off Hawaii and follows HMAS Sydney’s successful first-of-class firing of a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) during Exercise RIMPAC 2024 in July. The SM6 complements the SM2 which is already in RAN service.