Raytheon SM-2 and SM-3 missiles were launched simultaneously from a U.S. Navy destroyer in a recent integrated air and missile defense exercise in the Pacific.

In the test by the Navy and the Missile Defense Agency, a Standard Missile-3 Block IB destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target, while two SM-2 Block IIIAs destroyed two cruise missile targets.

"This test showcases the U.S.'s ability to defend against numerous ballistic and cruise missile threats in 'raid' scenarios," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon Missile Systems. "No other nation in the world has the capability to do what the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency demonstrated."

SM-3 Block IIA, was co-developed with Japan. It destroys an incoming ballistic missile threat in space by crashing into it. More than 200 SM-3s have been delivered to the U.S. and Japan so far. SM-3 Block IB missiles are being deployed in Romania next year as part of the Aegis-Ashore missile defense program.

Raytheon said advanced technologies used on the next-generation Block IB missile include enhanced a two-color infrared seeker and a Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System, a mechanism that helps propels the missile toward its target.

SM-2s are fleet-area defense weapons but are also capable of extended-area air defense. The missile has been integrated with Aegis and non-Aegis combat systems with the U.S. Navy and the navies of allied countries. Among them: Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan.