The Navy fired seven Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA anti-air warfare missiles as part of ongoing U.S. Navy shipbuilder trials and operational tests, Raytheon Co. [RTN] announced.

Four of the intercepts were conducted by the guided missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Truxton (DDG 103). Three others were conducted by a cruiser, USS Antietam (CG 54), during exercises at the Southern California Offshore Range Extension.

"The long-range SM-2 Block IIIA’s ability to engage threats with low radar cross sections while performing high-g maneuvers makes it the most widely deployed area defense missile in the world," said Ron Shields, Raytheon Missile Systems Standard Missile program director.

Advanced fuzing and warhead modifications were incorporated into the SM-2 Block IIIA design to counter the threat of sea skimming anti-ship cruise missiles.