Propulsion Systems for the Standard Missile Program

The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) fires a Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) during the Titans of the Sea Presidential Review. The Titans of the Sea Presidential Review is one of many events taking place throughout the country to showcase maritime capabilities as part of the U.S Navy’s 250th birthday. America is a maritime nation.

The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) fires a Standard Missile 2 (SM-2). (U.S. Navy photo).

Overview

The Standard Missile includes the following variants:

  • SM-2
  • SM-3 IB and IIA
  • SM-6

These missiles are deployed across U.S. Navy ships and allied platforms offering flexible and scalable defense solutions for a variety of missions and are integrated into multiple defense systems, including the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.

With its versatility, reliability and advanced technology, the Standard Missile program continues to be a critical component of modern air and missile defense strategies.

Our Role in Propulsion

L3Harris is a critical contributor to the Standard Missile program, delivering advanced propulsion solutions ensuring mission success.

Our combat-proven propulsion systems include:

  • Mk 104 Rocket Motor – Second stage for SM-2, SM-3 IB and SM-6.
  • Mk 72 Rocket Motor – Booster/first stage for SM-3 IB, SM-3 IIA and SM-6.
  • Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) – Maneuvers the SM-3 kinetic warhead for precise hit-to-kill impact. Incorporating advanced throttling solid rocket technology, TDACS offers increased mission flexibility while maintaining safety.

These technologies enable multi-stage propulsion, extended range and precision targeting supporting the U.S. Navy and allied forces in the most demanding environments.

A Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) guided missile is launched from the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) during Flight Test Standard Missile-27 Event 2 (FTM-27 E2). During the test, a medium-range ballistic missile target was successfully intercepted by SM-6 missiles fired from the USS John Paul Jones.

A Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) guided missile is launched from the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) during Flight Test Standard Missile-27 Event 2 (FTM-27 E2).

Media Gallery

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) fires an SM-2 Block III missile during a live-fire exercise. (U.S. Navy Photo)
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B interceptor missile is launched from the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy test in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 Block 1B successfully intercepted a target missile that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii. Lake Erie detected and tracked the target with its on board AN/SPY-1 radar. The event was the third consecutive successful intercept test of the SM-3 Block IB m
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) launches an SM-6 missile during exercise At-Sea Demonstration (ASD)/Formidable Shield. ASD/FS 25 is the largest at-sea live-fire in the exercise European theater, hosted by U.S. 6th Fleet and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) fires an SM-2 missile during a tactical training exercise. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a live-fire test of the ship's aegis weapons system. Over the course of three days, the crew of John Paul Jones successfully engaged six targets, firing a total of five missiles that included four SM-6 models and one Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) model. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) launches a standard missile 2 (SM-2) from the forward vertical launching system while operating in the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) fires an SM-2 Block III missile during a live-fire exercise. (U.S. Navy Photo)
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroy...
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B interceptor missile is launched from the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy test in the mid-Pacific. The SM-3 Block 1B successfully intercepted a target missile that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands in Kauai, Hawaii. Lake Erie detected and tracked the target with its on board AN/SPY-1 radar. The event was the third consecutive successful intercept test of the SM-3 Block IB m
A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B intercept...
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) launches an SM-6 missile during exercise At-Sea Demonstration (ASD)/Formidable Shield. ASD/FS 25 is the largest at-sea live-fire in the exercise European theater, hosted by U.S. 6th Fleet and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroy...
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) fires an SM-2 missile during a tactical training exercise. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroy...
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) launches a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) during a live-fire test of the ship's aegis weapons system. Over the course of three days, the crew of John Paul Jones successfully engaged six targets, firing a total of five missiles that included four SM-6 models and one Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) model. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroy...
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) launches a standard missile 2 (SM-2) from the forward vertical launching system while operating in the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Navy Photo).
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroy...

Related News

Green Wolf syncs with other launched effects and ground vehicles via digital lines

Press release | 07. 16. 2026

L3Harris and Shield AI Complete Autonomous Electronic Warfare Flight Test

L3Harris Technologies and Shield AI have completed the first flight test of the electromagnetic battle management ecosystem known as Distributed Spectrum Collaboration and Operations (DiSCO™) with Shield AI’s Hivemind mission-autonomy software.

Green Wolf syncs with other launched effects and ground vehicles via digital lines

Press release | 07. 16. 2026

L3Harris and Shield AI Complete Autonomous Electronic Warfare Flight Test

Nexus Background Stealth

Editorial | 07. 01. 2026

L3Harris Test Marks Step Forward on Next-Generation Ramjet Propulsion

Construction crews continue work on expanding a facility in Arkansas

Press release | 06. 24. 2026

L3Harris Plans Arkansas Facility Expansion for PAC-3 Propulsion Production

pilot in cockpit with missile out the window

Press release | 06. 03. 2026

L3Harris Receives Contract to Deliver Proximity Fuzes

L3Harris successfully tested a potential propulsion solution for the U.S. Army’s PrSM Increment 4 program

Press release | 06. 03. 2026

L3Harris Successfully Tests Advanced Propulsion System

Visit the Newsroom

Related Capabilities

AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System

AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System

A key element of the Missile Defense Agency's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System is the Raytheon-built STANDARD Missile.

Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System

Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System

THAAD

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

PAC-3 MSE

PAC-3 MSE

The appearance of U.S. Department of War visual information does not imply or constitute DOW endorsement.