The sight of a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet bearing an inert Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) has recently stirred conversations about the evolving nature of naval warfare and the potential expansion of the Navy’s combat capabilities.

A photographer, known by the handle @StinkJet, spotted the Super Hornet approximately 60 miles north of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake on April 17, 2024, with the SM-6 equipped under its wing.

According to the radio communications heard by StinkJet just prior to spotting the aircraft, it is speculated that the Super Hornet could be affiliated with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9.

This is not the first instance of a Super Hornet carrying the SM-6 missile.

Back in 2021, another sighting involved a VX-31 F/A-18F, also with the SM-6, which sparked discussion on the potential for this combination to act as a long-range air-to-air or anti-surface missile.

Although the U.S. Navy has not acknowledged plans for such integration, the operational advantages of the SM-6 on Super Hornets have remained a point of interest.

Initially designed as a surface-launched weapon capable of engaging air-breathing airborne threats at long distances, as well as ballistic missiles and potentially hypersonic weapons, the SM-6 missile has undergone modifications to suit the needs of all branches of the military.

Primarily utilized by US Navy vessels for air defense within the Aegis Combat System, the SM-6 was originally intended for long-range anti-aircraft combat but has since evolved to serve as a quasi-ballistic missile for targeting high-value surface assets such as warships and critical ground installations.

The US Army has also incorporated the missile for land attack operations as a ground-launched weapon.

Described by Raytheon as “three missiles in one,” the SM-6 is unparalleled in its capability to conduct anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense or sea-based terminal missions.

Earlier this year, its combat prowess was demonstrated when the USS Carney employed the SM-6 to intercept a Houthi rebel-fired anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden.

The prospect of integrating the SM-6 onto an aerial platform like the Super Hornet carries strategic importance for several reasons.

It would boost the F/A-18E Super Hornet’s maritime strike capability, allowing it to engage surface targets at extended distances.

This flexibility would enable the aircraft to shift seamlessly between air superiority, close air support, and maritime strike roles.

Moreover, equipping Super Hornets with the SM-6 could serve as a force multiplier, improving the offensive capabilities of naval forces and acting as a deterrent to potential adversaries.

Relevant articles:
– U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet Spotted With SM-6 Missile Under Its Right Wing, The Aviationist
– 6 Spotted Again on U.S. Navy F/A, Naval News
– Super Hornet Armed With SM-6 Missile Spotted Over California, The War Zone
– “Three-In-One” SM-6 Missile, A Weapon That Infuriated China To Its Core, Spotted On F/18 Super Hornet, EurAsian Times