Recent photographs have reignited discussions surrounding the integration of the formidable SM-6 missile onto the F/18 Super Hornet, a move that has raised concerns among adversaries like China. The images depict what appears to be an inert variant of the surface-to-air Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) mounted on the iconic naval strike fighter, sparking speculation about the potential expansion of its already impressive capabilities.
Rare Sighting Fuels Speculation: F/A-18F Super Hornet
The Super Hornet may be used to test the SM-6’s capabilities against hostile targets, according to analysts. The U.S. Navy has not commented. A civilian photographer caught a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet with an SM-6 under its left pylon in 2021, but military officials didn’t confirm it.
Enhancing Naval Dominance: SM-6 Missile
Over the years, the prospect of integrating the SM-6 missile into the Super Hornet’s arsenal has been extensively discussed, potentially bolstering the U.S. Navy’s offensive and defensive capabilities. A 2018 proposal suggested turning the SM-6 Dual I SAM into a long-range air-to-air missile to augment the Super Hornet’s strike.
The advantages of such an integration are manifold:
- Extended Reach: At high altitudes and velocities, the SM-6 could destroy enemy aircraft hundreds of miles distant, surpassing air-to-air missile range.
- Multi-Role Versatility: SM-6 targets marine targets and ballistic missiles, making the Super Hornet a triple threat in warfare.
- Strategic Deterrent: In the face of escalating tensions with adversaries like China, this expanded capability could serve as a potent deterrent, bolstering the U.S. Navy’s strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
The SM-6 Missile: A Remarkable Evolution
Conceived initially as a surface-launched weapon to counter aerial threats, ballistic missiles, and potentially hypersonic weapons, the SM-6 has undergone a remarkable transformation, adapting to the evolving needs of multiple service branches.
- Naval Air Defense: Introduced into the Aegis Combat System, the SM-6 initially served as a long-range anti-aircraft weapon for the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet.
- Quasi-Ballistic Capability: Beyond its air defense role, the missile can function as a quasi-ballistic weapon, capable of engaging warships and high-priority ground targets like air defense installations.
- Army Integration: Recognizing its potential, the U.S. Army has embraced the SM-6 for ground-launched operations, enhancing its land attack capabilities.
The United States Navy’s Operational Highlights
Countering Houthi Threats
The Pentagon acknowledged the U.S. Navy’s use of the SM-6 missile against Yemeni Houthi terrorists who had been attacking Western ships with missiles and drones this year. An SM-6 fired from the USS Carney (DDG-64), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, successfully intercepted a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in the Gulf of Aden, marking a significant milestone in the missile’s combat history.
Deployment in the Asia-Pacific
Beijing fears the US Army’s ground-based “Typhon” missile system, which can launch the SM-6, at “Balikatan 2024” military training in the Philippines. Chinese Defense Ministry spokeswoman Wu Qian cautioned that an Asia-Pacific intermediate-range missile system could force Beijing to intervene due to regional security and stability difficulties.
Baltic Sea Exercises
In September 2023, the U.S. deployed the SM-6 variant of the Typhon MRC (Medium Range Capability) system on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. Moscow stated that the United States had been waiting for the breakdown of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which had previously prevented the fielding of the system, to implement it for a long time.
Demonstrating Its Capability: The SM-6 Missile
Late March SM-6 sea testing showed its precision and improved performance. The USS Preble (DDG 88)-launched SM-6 Dual II (Block IA) intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target with the Baseline 9.C2 Aegis Combat System on its final mission. Four of its seven ballistic missile flights were Dual II. This intercept mattered. It counters air, surface, and sea-based terminal ballistic missiles.
International Interest and Demand: U.S. Navy
The SM-6’s exceptional capabilities have rattled adversaries and piqued the interest of U.S. allies seeking to bolster their defensive and offensive capabilities.
- Japan: In 2022, the US Department of State approved a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan for $450 million, which might include 32 SM-6 Block I missiles and associated equipment.
- South Korea: Last year, the State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 38 Standard Missile Block I (SM-6) units to the South Korean government.
The SM-6, with its proven performance and mobility, is the most sought-after U.S. weapon. Hypersonic and next-generation missiles like the AIM-260 are months away from deployment.
The F/18 Super Hornet’s SM-6 missile integration may help the Navy increase combat capability. The Super Hornet’s devastating strike and the SM-6’s unrivaled mobility may provide the naval aviation force an edge in many tactical situations. China views these integrations as threatening regional security, while the U.S. Navy remains silent. Adding advanced missile systems like the SM-6 might reduce Indo-Pacific tensions and show the U.S. Navy’s strength. The SM-6 has revolutionized navy and combat aviation, and the world watches.
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