Original Date: 07/08/2002
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The STANDARD Missile, launched from the proven Vertical Launching System, is among the most reliable and effective weapons systems in the Department of the Navy’s tactical inventory, and offers primary air defense support for the AEGIS Ticondera-class cruisers; Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, and allied countries’ navies throughout the world. The evolving STANDARD Missile family provides a robust anti-air warfare capability a defense against high altitude, long-range, high crossing, and maneuvering threats. The Department of the Navy’s Directorate for Missiles and Surface Launchers (PEO TSC-M/L), formerly the STANDARD Missile Program Office (PMS 422), is responsible for the “cradle-to-grave” management of the STANDARD Missile and Vertical Launcher Programs. PEO TSC-M/L oversees all variants of both programs inclusive of concept formulation, design, development, integration, acquisition, test and evaluation, fleet introduction, modernization, and life-cycle maintenance.

The STANDARD Missile legacy began in 1952 with the introduction of the TALOS missile, with initial firing at sea in February 1959 from the USS Galveston. TALOS was primarily a surface-to-air missile, but could be used effectively against ships and shore targets up to a range of 65 miles. The first generation TERRIER BW-0 ship-to- shore missile was introduced about the same time, and was based on beam and wing control technology. New design changes introduced the TERRIER BT-3, which employed beam and tail control technology providing higher speed and more range. The HT-3 followed with semi-active homing to improve accuracy and higher target hit probability. In 1955, TARTAR was initiated. Design changes, improved rocket motor, and the guidance system enabled it to be launched from smaller ships. In the 1960s, the first in the family of STANDARD Missiles, the SM-1 Mod 0, was introduced. Amidst the space race, an abundance of new and maturing technologies emerged ready for military application. The introduction of the SM-1 MR/ER in 1965 implemented technological advances incorporating semi- conductor technology and larger thrust rocket motors. The SM-2 was later developed specifically for use in the AEGIS system, requiring guidance system compatibility with the TERRIER and TARTAR shipboard systems.

In today’s environment of highly sophisticated and complex warfare, where a single failure can destroy combat resources, bring about undesirable political consequences, and most importantly imperil human life, it is imperative that program management functions be executed perfectly using the best practices available. PEO TSC-M/L achieves such performance while evolving the STANDARD Missile Program to meet the Navy’s needs, and effectively managing the Program through the application of technological changes and best practices. Among the best practices documented by the BMP survey team were the implementation of the Technical Risk Identification and Mitigation System to help identify, review, and mitigate risks associated with the transition from systems development to production; the Configuration Control Board, which streamlined the Directorate’s change control process by adopting a more parallel process enabling a more timely approval cycle and avoiding expensive delays; the revision of the Missile Document MD-57104, allowing it to be a stand-alone, comprehensive document that consolidates systems engineering, quality, and reliability requirements; the Golden Round process, which thoroughly evaluates contractor processes to alleviate failures due to problems associated with manpower, methods, machine, and material; Government Program Office/Contractor Co-location, which improved communication by co-locating with its prime contractor allowing representatives from both organizations to operate and interact in close proximity to each other; and a web-based collaborative work environment to better manage program information and increase communication across the contractor/government teams.

PEO TSC-M/L is already addressing additional challenges of working with suppliers to reduce hardware cost, preserving its vendor base, and evolving both the STANDARD Missile and Vertical Launching System capabilities to meet increasingly sophisticated threats. The Directorate is committed to excellence in communication and exchanging best practices with other Program Offices and the entire U.S. industrial base. The BMP survey team considers the practices in this report to be among the best in industry and government.

TABLE OF ACRONYMS:
The following acronyms were used in this report:

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.