Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:59:02-2:04:22

Why Aster 30 and SM-6 are not direct equivalents

Aster 30 and SM-6 meet different air-defense requirements; comparing them also requires separating an interceptor's range from the range of its ballistic-missile target.

Air DefenceAster 30Ballistic Missile DefenceNaval MissilesSM-6 Missile
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Question

Would you choose SM-6 or Aster 30 for a ship's long-range surface-to-air missile?

Short answer

They serve different requirements: Aster 30 is closer to SM-2, while SM-6 offers much greater air-defense reach and an anti-surface role. Aster's control arrangement is favored here for terminal ballistic-missile defense.

Notes

Aster 30 sits closer to SM-2 than SM-6 in its general air-defense role. SM-6 offers much longer-range surface-to-air coverage and also an anti-surface capability. For terminal ballistic-missile defense, the comparison favors Aster's control arrangement over SM-6's wholly aerodynamic controls. A stated ability to counter a ballistic missile of a given range describes the incoming threat, not the interceptor's own range. That threat range indicates the target's likely speed, although trajectory also matters.