The U.S. Navy is deploying its Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors “at an alarming rate” to support Israel in its ongoing conflict with Iran.
Admiral James Kilby, acting chief of Naval Operations, made the statement during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the Navy’s budget in Washington, responding to a question from Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) about the Navy’s available munitions to counter global threats.
The inquiry followed a recent round of Iranian missile strikes targeting Israel.
“The latest round of conflict in the Middle East utilized large amounts of munitions to defend Israel from Iranian strikes,” Schatz said. “Does the Navy currently have all the SM-3s it needs for global threats?”
“We do, sir,” Kilby replied, “but we are, to your point, using them at an alarming rate. As you know, those are missiles procured by the Missile Defense Agency and then delivered to the Navy for our use. And we are using them quite effectively in the defense of Israel.”
The SM-3, developed by Raytheon under the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), is a sea-based exo-atmospheric interceptor designed to destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles through kinetic impact.
It operates without an explosive warhead, relying on direct collision to neutralize targets. The missile is launched from Aegis-equipped naval vessels and is part of the Navy’s broader missile defense capabilities.
In addition to the use of SM-3s, Kilby confirmed during the hearing that U.S. Patriot missile systems were used to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at U.S. military installations in Qatar earlier in the week.
