What is the purpose of the SM-6?

• A. Anti-ship warfare
• B. Close-in defense
• C. Extended-range air and missile defense
• D. Submarine-launched

Answer: (C)

Extended-range air and missile defense is what SM-6 is designed to provide for Navy ships. It brings a long reach and a capable onboard seeker that works with the ship’s Aegis radar system to intercept threats such as aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at much greater distances than earlier interceptors. This gives a carrier strike group or surface ship broader protective coverage across a wide envelope and supports ballistic missile defense as part of the integrated defense architecture, especially in the terminal phase, while maintaining flexibility for various threat types. The other roles described—engaging ships at close range, being launched from submarines, or focusing solely on anti-ship duties—are not the primary purpose of SM-6 and are handled by different systems or platforms.