Background: The Standard Missile was produced in two major types, the SM-1 MR/SM-2 (medium range) and the SM-2 (extended range). It is one of the most reliable in the Navy's inventory. Used against missiles, aircraft and ships, it first came into the fleet more than a decade ago. It replaced Terrier and Tartar missiles and is part of the weapons suite of more than 100 Navy ships. The SM-2 (MR) is a medium range defense weapon for Ticonderoga-class AEGIS cruisers, Arleigh Burke-class AEGIS destroyers, California and Virginia-class nuclear cruisers and Kidd-class destroyers with NTU conversions. Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates use the SM-1 MR.

On January 24, 1997, the Navy successfully demonstrated a Theater Ballistic Missile Defense capability when a ballistic missile target was shot from the sky for the first time using a new version of the Standard missile family.

General Characteristics, SM-1, SM-2 Medium Range
Primary Function: Surface to air missile
Contractor: Hughes Missile Systems Company (formerly General Dynamics' Ponoma Division, sold to Hughes in 1992) Pomona Division; Raytheon Motorola; Morton-Thiokol; Aerojet General and others
Unit cost: SM-1 MR $402,500; SM-2 MR $421,400
Power plant: Dual thrust, solid fuel rocket
Length: 14 feet, 7 inches (4.41 meters)
Weight: SM-1: 1,100 pounds (495 kg); SM-2: 1,380 pounds (621 kg)
Diameter: 13.5 inches (34.3 cm)
Wing Span: 3 feet 6 inches (1.08 meters)
Range:
15-20 nautical miles (17-23 statute miles)(SM-1 MR)
40-90 nautical miles (46-104 statute miles) (SM-2 MR)
Guidance system: Semi-active radar homing
Warhead: Proximity fuse, high explosive
Date Deployed: 1970 (SM-1 MR); 1981 (SM-2 MR)