Raytheon completed the preliminary design review (PDR) of the SM-3 Block IIA's throttleable divert and attitude control system. Essentially a rocket motor with four main divert nozzles and six attitude control nozzles, the TDACS's precision propulsion will enable the SM-3 Block IIA to intercept incoming ballistic missiles with pinpoint accuracy.

"The TDACS is the most complex component of the SM-3 Block IIA," said Wes Kremer, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air and Missile Defense Systems product line. "The design detail and test data presented at the PDR demonstrated the TDACS is ready for the next phase of development."

The SM-3 Block IIA is a co-development effort between the U.S. and Japan and the cornerstone of phase three of the administration's Phased Adaptive Approach. The missile's larger rocket motors and advanced kinetic warhead will allow for a greater defended area, protecting both the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missiles. The program is on track for a 2018 delivery.

All variants of SM-3 (Blocks IA, IB and IIA) are being developed by Raytheon as part of the Missile Defense Agency's sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Current variants are deployed on Aegis cruisers and destroyers to defend against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the midcourse phase of flight.

Raytheon has delivered more than 130 SM-3s to U.S. and Japanese navies ahead of schedule and under cost.