RIM - 66 Standard The RIM - 66 Standard MR ( SM - 1MR / SM - 2MR ) is a medium range surface - to - air missile ( SAM ) originally developed for the United States Navy ( USN ) . The SM - 1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM - 2 Terrier and RIM - 24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships . The RIM - 67 Standard ( SM - 1ER / SM - 2ER ) , is an extended range version of this missile with a booster stage . The Standard can also be used as an anti - ship missile . Description . The Standard missile program was started in 1963 to produce a family of missiles to replace existing guided missiles used by the Terrier , Talos , and Tartar guided missile launch systems . The intention was to produce a new generation of guided missiles that could be retrofit to existing guided missile systems . Standard missile 1 . The RIM - 66A is the medium ranged version of the Standard missile and was initially developed as a replacement for the earlier RIM - 24C as part of the Mk74 " Tartar " Guided Missile Fire Control System . It used the same fuselage as the earlier Tartar missile , for easier use with existing launchers and magazines for that system . The RIM - 66A / B while looking like the earlier RIM - 24C on the exterior is a different missile internally with redesigned electronics and a more reliable homing system and fuse that make it more capable than its predecessor . The RIM - 66A / B Standard MR , ( SM - 1MR Block I to V ) was used during the Vietnam War . The only remaining version of the Standard missile 1 in service is the RIM - 66E ( SM - 1MR Block VI ) . While no longer in service with the USN , the RIM - 66E is still in service with many navies globally and is expected to remain in service until 2020 . Standard missile 2 . The RIM - 66C / D Standard MR ( SM - 2MR Block I ) , was developed in the 1970s and was a key part of the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade ( NTU ) . The SM - 2MR introduced inertial and command mid - course guidance . The missile ' s autopilot is programmed to fly the most efficient path to the target and can receive course corrections from the ground . Target illumination for semi - active homing is needed only for a few seconds in the terminal phase of the interception . This capability enables the Aegis combat system and New Threat Upgrade equipped vessels to time share illumination radars , greatly increasing the number of targets that can be engaged in quick succession . Mk 41 VLS adopts modular design concept , which result in different versions that vary in size and weight . The length comes in three sizes : 209 inches for the self - defense version , 266 inches for the tactical version , and 303 inches for the strike version . The empty weight for an 8 - cell module is 26 , 800 pounds for the self - defense version , 29 , 800 pounds for the tactical version , and 32 , 000 pounds for the strike version . In the middle 1980s , the SM - 2MR was deployed via Mk 41 Vertical Launch System ( VLS ) aboard the , the first U . S . Navy ship to deploy a vertical launcher . VLS has , since 2003 , been the only launcher used for the Standard missile in the U . S . Navy aboard " Ticonderoga " - class cruisers and " Arleigh Burke " - class destroyers . The United States Navy is committed to keeping the Standard Missile 2 medium range viable until 2035 . The SM - 1 and SM - 2 were continuously upgraded through Blocks ( see below ) . The Standard can also be used against ships , either at line - of - sight range using its semi - active homing mode , or over the horizon using inertial guidance and terminal infrared homing . Contractors . Standard missiles were constructed by General Dynamics Pomona Division until 1992 , when it became part of the Hughes Missile Systems Company . Hughes formed a joint venture with Raytheon called Standard Missile Company ( SMCo ) . Hughes Missile Systems was eventually sold to Raytheon making it the sole contractor . Operational history . The Standard missile one became operational in 1968 . The missile was utilized by ships equipped with the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System . The missile saw its first combat use in the early 1970s in the Vietnam war . The Standard missile two became operational in the late 1970s and was deployed operationally with the Aegis Combat System in 1983 . Both Standard one and two were used against both surface and air targets during Operation Praying Mantis . On July 3 , 1988 , mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655 , an Airbus A300B2 , using two SM - 2MR missiles from her forward launcher . In 1988 the Iranian Kaman - class missile boat " Joshan " was sunk by RIM - 66 Standard missiles during Operation Praying Mantis . Deployment history . The Standard missile is designated by blocks depending upon their technological package . SM - 1 Medium Range Block I / II / III / IV , RIM - 66A . The First Standard missiles entered service in the USN in 1967 . Blocks I , II , and III were preliminary versions . Block IV was the production version . This missile was a replacement for the earlier RIM - 24C Tartar missile . SM - 1 Medium Range Block V , RIM - 66B . The RIM - 66B introduced changes that resulted in higher reliability . A new faster reacting autopilot , a more powerful dual thrust rocket motor , and a new warhead were added . Many RIM - 66A missiles were re - manufactured into RIM - 66B . SM - 1 Medium Range Blocks VI / VIA / VIB , RIM - 66E . The RIM - 66E was the last version of the standard missile one medium range . This version entered service in 1983 with the United States Navy and export customers . The RIM - 66E was used by all remaining Tartar vessels that were not modified to use the New Threat Upgrade and s which controlled it with the Mk92 fire control system . Production of this missile ended in 1987 . The missile was retired from USN service in 2003 ; however there are a large number of this model in service abroad and it is expected to remain viable until 2020 . SM - 2 Medium Range Block I , RIM - 66C / D . The RIM - 66C was the first version of the Standard missile two . The missile became operational in 1978 with the Aegis combat system fitted to the . The RIM - 66D was the SM - 2 medium range block I version for the New Threat Upgrade . The SM - 2 incorporates a new autopilot giving it inertial guidance in all phases of flight except for the terminal intercept where semi - active radar homing is still used . This version is no longer in service , remaining missiles have either been remanufactured into later models or have been put in storage . SM - 2 Medium Range Block II , RIM - 66G / H / J . The Block II missile introduced in 1983 with a new rocket motor for longer range and a new warhead . The RIM - 66G is for the Aegis combat system and the Mk26 missile launcher . The RIM - 66H is for Aegis and the Mk41 vertical launcher . The RIM - 66J is the version for the New Threat Upgrade . Block II missiles are no longer manufactured , and have been withdrawn from service . The remainder have either been put in storage , scrapped for spare parts , or remanufactured into later models . SM - 2 Medium Range Block III / IIIA / IIIB , RIM - 66K / L / M . The RIM - 66M is the version of the Standard missile two medium range ( SM - 2MR ) currently in service with the USN aboard " Ticonderoga " - class cruisers , s . The missile is specifically designed for the Aegis Combat System and the Mk41 Vertical launch system . The Block III missiles differ from earlier blocks by the addition of the MK 45 MOD 9 target detecting device , for improved performance against low altitude targets . The Block IIIB missile additionally has a dual semi - active / infrared seeker for terminal homing . The dual seeker is intended for use in high - ECM environments , against targets over the horizon or with a small radar cross section . The seeker was originally developed for the canceled AIM - 7R Sparrow air - to - air missile . All USN Block III and IIIA missiles are to be upgraded to Block IIIB . Block IIIA missiles are operated by the Japanese Maritime Self - Defense Force on its and Aegis destroyers . Aegis equipped vessels in the Spanish and South Korean navies use it as well . The Dutch and German Navies have added it to the Anti - Air Warfare system , which uses the Thales Nederland Active Phased Array Radar and Smart - L radar . South Korean KDX - II destroyers use the block IIIA with a New Threat Upgrade compatible guided missile fire control system . Block III variants for Aegis and arm launchers are designated RIM - 66L . Block III missiles for New Threat Upgrade systems is designated RIM - 66K . Block IIIB missiles were not produced for the New Threat Upgrade . Blocks IIIA and IIIB are the current production versions . The Thales Nederland STIR 1 . 8 and 2 . 4 fire control systems are also supported . Deployment . In the US Navy , RIM - 66 Standard was deployed on ships of the following classes , replacing RIM - 24 Tartar in some cases : RIM - 66 has also been widely exported and is in service in other navies worldwide . Surface to air variants . Table sources , reference material :