This document summarizes new challenges brought to the Standard Missile program by the development of the SM-3 variant for exo-atmospheric intercepts of ballistic missiles. Key points:
1) SM-3 will intercept targets at higher speeds and altitudes than previous SM variants, outside of the earth's atmosphere. This requires new technologies for attitude control, thermal protection, and precision guidance/navigation.
2) Additional ground tests are conducted on SM-3 to verify design changes, including separation tests to validate stage separation and a hover test to demonstrate kinetic warhead target acquisition without rocket motors.
3) The Aegis LEAP Intercept demonstration aims to show that SM-3 can intercept