Raytheon's Standard Missile-6 approved for international sale

TUCSON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense has cleared Raytheon's Standard Missile-6 for sale to various international customers.

The Standard Missile-6, or SM-6, is currently procured by the U.S. Navy to provide anti-aircraft and anti-ship defenses for its fleet. The weapon is designed to engage enemy fighters, vessels, and unmanned aircraft, and is compatible with existing AEGIS-equipped cruisers and destroyers.

The Defense Department's approval comes after earlier tests confirmed the missile's ability to be used against ocean surface targets.

"International navies are seeking the level of sophisticated protection that SM-6 provides," program director Mike Campisi said in a press release. "The flexibility of this multi-mission effector drives significant savings for our partners and allies; it's the exact opposite of a boutique missile."

Raytheon's SM-6 was first deployed in 2013, with several variants tested in July 2015 and December 2016. During the trials, the SM-6 set a record for the longest range surface-to-air interceptor.