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The Missile Defense Agency has ordered Standard Missile-3 Block IIA all up round development and integration. The co-development effort between the U.S. and Japan will see third evolution of the SM-3 family of missiles. Used by the U.S. and Japanese navies to destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles, the SM-3 is the only defensive weapon of its kind. The SM-3 Block IIA will have a 21-inch 2nd and 3rd stage rocket motor and a larger, more capable kinetic warhead.

On track for a 2018 deployment date, the missile is the third evolution of the SM-3 family of missiles and builds on the successful legacy of the first two variants: SM-3 Block IA and SM-3 Block IB. The SM-3 program has achieved 21 successful intercepts.

SM-3 Block IA missiles are currently employed on Japan's Kongo-class ships.