WHITE SANDS, USA (BNS): US defence firm Raytheon has successfully tested the Standard Missile-6 system it is developing for the US Navy.

The advanced surface-to-air missile completed its fourth guided test vehicle launch, paving the way for its ‘at-sea’ launch this year, Raytheon said.

“All GTV engineering test objectives were met, demonstrating the SM-6's capabilities in this critical engagement,” Frank Wyatt, Raytheon's vice president of Naval Weapon Systems, said.

“With its over-the-horizon protection, SM-6 will provide the surface Navy with an increased battlespace against anti-air warfare threats. We now move forward with initial operational capability flights of this extended-range AAW system,” the official said.

The SM-6, also called Extended Range Active Missile, is being developed to act as a long-range anti-air warfare missile for the US Navy.

The weapon will be used against fixed and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and land attack anti-ship cruise missiles in flight, both over sea and land.

It is an upgrade to the Standard Missile family. Raytheon expects to start delivering the first missiles to US Navy by 2011.