U.S. Navy Standard Missile 6 interceptors recently destroyed low-altitude supersonic and subsonic targets using remote data for targeting.

Raytheon, maker of the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, said the interceptors were fired from the cruiser USS Chancellorsville as part of an "engage and remote" scenario in which the interceptors were launched using data from another cruiser in the area before the Chancellorsville's own radar had even detected the targets.

The first SM-6 launched intercepted a low-altitude, short-range supersonic target. The second intercepted a low-altitude, medium-range subsonic target.

"Advanced warning and cueing from another sensor or ship allows the U.S. Navy to take full advantage of SM-6's over-the-horizon capability," said Mike Campisi, Standard Missile-6 senior program director. "Now the warfighter does not have to wait until the threat is knocking at the door to take it out.

"Targets are destroyed much sooner and one ship can defend a much larger area."

The SM-6 is designed for over-the-horizon use against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. It was first deployed by the Navy last year.

More than 130 of the interceptors are now in service.