The SM-3 is a Standard Missile family interceptor for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships and Aegis Ashore sites. Unlike area air-defense missiles built around blast-fragmentation warheads, it uses a hit-to-kill kinetic vehicle to destroy ballistic missiles in the midcourse phase outside the atmosphere, with Block IB and Block IIA variants forming a key U.S. and allied upper-tier missile-defense layer.
U.S. Navy destroyers used SM-3 interceptors in April 2024 and again in October 2024 during defensive engagements against Iranian ballistic missiles launched toward Israel.
PAC-3 MSEHit-to-kill Patriot interceptor missilePAC-3 MSE is the Missile Segment Enhancement variant of Lockheed Martin's Patriot PAC-3 hit-to-kill interceptor family. It adds a larger dual-pulse solid rocket motor, larger fins, upgraded actuators, and higher performance for defeating ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft while retaining compatibility with modern Patriot launchers.
SM-6Multimission surface-to-air and terminal ballistic-missile interceptorThe SM-6, formally the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, is a U.S. Navy and Raytheon multimission missile for extended-range air defense, terminal ballistic-missile defense, and secondary anti-surface or strike roles. Its active seeker and Standard Missile airframe let Aegis ships engage aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and some ballistic threats beyond the launching ship's own radar horizon.
THAADTransportable anti-ballistic missile defense systemTHAAD is a U.S. transportable ballistic-missile defense system built around hit-to-kill interceptors, truck-mounted launchers, fire-control equipment, and AN/TPY-2 radar. It protects forces and population centers against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the terminal phase, with documented recent use by the UAE against Houthi missiles and U.S. deployment to Israel after Iranian attacks.
Arrow-2Upper-layer anti-ballistic missile interceptorArrow-2 is the endo- and upper-atmospheric interceptor in Israel's Arrow Weapon System, built to defeat short- and medium-range ballistic missiles before impact. Developed by Israel with major U.S. cooperation, it pairs two-stage solid-propellant interceptors with Green Pine radar, battle management, and launcher elements, giving Israel an upper-layer defense below the longer-range Arrow-3 layer.
Arrow-3Exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile interceptorArrow-3 is the upper-tier interceptor in Israel's Arrow Weapon System, developed with U.S. support to destroy ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. Its hit-to-kill kill vehicle, long-range engagement envelope, and integration with Israeli radar and battle-management systems make it a strategic layer above Arrow-2, David's Sling, and Iron Dome, with documented combat use against Houthi and Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
David's SlingMedium- to long-range air and missile defense systemDavid's Sling is the middle tier of Israel's layered missile-defense network, co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon/RTX around the hit-to-kill Stunner interceptor. It is designed to cover threats above Iron Dome and below Arrow, including heavy rockets, cruise missiles, aircraft, drones, and tactical ballistic missiles, with recent combat use documented against rockets from Gaza and Lebanon and Iranian ballistic missiles.