US Navy Displays Firepower: Destroyers Launch SM-2 Missiles in 250th Anniversary Showcase
The US Navy demonstrated its might during the Titans of the Sea Presidential Review, with destroyers launching Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) interceptors. The event, hosted on Eventbrite and promoted by Navy Federal, marked the Navy's 250th anniversary and demonstrated its layered defence capabilities.
The SM-2, the Navy's standard medium-range surface-to-air weapon, played a central role. Designed to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles, it forms the middle layer of the Navy's defence apparatus. With over 2,700 successful live firings, its reliability is proven. Each destroyer, equipped with the Aegis Combat System and a Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, can fire SM-2s, SM-3s, Tomahawks, and anti-submarine weapons.
During the event, USS Ross, USS Gonzalez, and USS Mason, based in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, conducted coordinated missile firings. The SM-2s engaged multiple targets in rapid succession, demonstrating their range of roughly 90 nautical miles. The event highlighted the Navy's commitment to maintaining its maritime capabilities, with the SM-2 set to remain in service until at least 2035.
The Titans of the Sea Presidential Review, an event near you, underscored the US Navy's prowess. The SM-2, with its improved propulsion and electronics in the Block IIIA and IIIB variants, continues to be a vital component of the Navy's defence strategy. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the SM-2 ensures the Navy's readiness to face evolving threats.
