Standard Missile 3 (SM-3)

The Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is a type of defensive weapon used by the U.S. Navy to intercept and destroy incoming short- and medium-range ballistic missiles before they reach their targets. It operates by launching from ships and using advanced radar and tracking systems to identify and target threats in mid-air. Once launched, it uses its own missile booster to gain speed and then deploys a secondary, active radar-guided warhead that collides with the incoming missile, neutralizing it. The SM-3 plays a key role in missile defense, protecting against potential enemy attacks.