U.S. Navy spends $1B+ on missiles, maritime threat remains
The total cost of the anti-aircraft missiles fired by the U.S. Navy during Operation Prosperity Guardian has surely exceeded a billion dollars. However, the results are not impressive since the threat to maritime transport still lingers.
U.S. Navy ships deployed in the Red Sea have fired nearly 400 various missiles over the past 15 months in combat against the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. The information shared by the portal The Warzone includes details about 120 SM-2 missiles, 80 SM-6 missiles, 160 Mark 45 naval gun shells with a caliber of 5 inches, and 20 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) and SM-3 missiles. Their total cost has undoubtedly exceeded a billion dollars.
These expenses were disclosed by Vice Admiral Brendan McLane, the head of Naval Surface Forces, during the annual Surface Navy Association conference held on January 14, 2025. Overall, naval ships, aircraft, and submarines have confronted over 400 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis since October 2023.
McLane stated that SM-2 missiles, which have a range of up to 104 miles and can reach altitudes of up to 65,000 feet, serve as the primary defensive measure for the U.S. Navy against anti-ship missiles and aircraft. For defending against ballistic missiles, SM-3 and SM-6 missiles are employed, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in the midcourse and terminal phases of flight, respectively.
The lowest tier of defense consists of ESSM missiles, and it turns out that Mk 45 guns are also effective against drones. These observations are similar to the findings of the French and Italian navies. The issue is not the effectiveness of the weapons but rather their cost, which is particularly significant for SM family missiles, ranging from $2 million to $12 million each, depending on the version.
Additionally, the highest-ranking U.S. military leaders have expressed concerns in recent months that the missiles fired in the Red Sea and elsewhere are depleting critical ammunition reserves needed for future conflicts in the Pacific against China. As a result, the naval service requested additional funds from Congress last year to replenish stockpile levels to a satisfactory state.
SM family missiles — the main shield of the U.S. Navy
The U.S. Navy currently employs a mix of different missiles from the Standard Missile (SM) series, ranging from the SM-2MR Block IIIA, introduced in the 1990s, to the latest SM-6 and SM-3, introduced in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The SM-2MR Block IIIA version, with a launch weight of approximately 1,543 pounds, features an improved Mk 125 fragmentation warhead designed to direct the force of the explosion and fragments toward the target, enhancing destructive power (more fragments hit the target). The missile uses inertial navigation with a semi-active radar homing head that requires target illumination by the ship's radar until impact.
It's worth noting that since 2007, the SM-2MR Block IIIB variant has been produced, which, in addition to the semi-active radar homing head, includes an electro-optical seeker that improves the ability to counter targets using stealth technology.
SM-3 missiles, on the other hand, are four-stage missiles weighing 3,307 pounds with a range of up to 745 miles, dedicated to intercepting ballistic missiles already in space. They possess a kinetic warhead that destroys the target through collision, requiring great precision in hitting the target. SM-3 missiles have also been used to support Israel's defense during Iranian missile attacks.
SM-6 missiles are quite similar, offering a cheaper two-stage option equipped with a directional fragmentation warhead. Their range matches that of the SM-3 (745 miles), but they are intended for engaging simpler targets. It's noteworthy that the missile guidance system is identical across all the mentioned types, starting from the SM-2MR Block IIIB.
