US Navy moves ahead with submarine‑launched anti‑air missile program

The United States Navy has unveiled the Naval Modular Missile (NMM) program, a family of modular surface‑to‑air missiles intended to replace the legacy Standard Missile (SM) series. Four variants are planned – long‑range (LR), dual‑payload (DP‑ER), quadruple‑payload (QP‑MR) and a submarine‑launched version (ER‑S) that can be fitted to Virginia‑class attack submarines equipped with the Virginia Payload Module. The 10‑inch interceptor combines a seeker, warhead, guidance, rocket motor and control actuator in interchangeable modules, allowing the same missile core to be adapted for different launchers.

The ER‑S concept would enable a single submarine launch tube to fire up to seven missiles, giving under‑sea platforms a direct anti‑air capability against aircraft, helicopters and even incoming ballistic missiles, as demonstrated by the Iranian missile launch at Diego Garcia on 20 March 2026. The Navy plans to use an adapted RIM‑174 Standard ERAM missile with a 240 km range, Mach 3.5 speed and a 34 km ceiling. FY 2027 funding of about $311 million targets production of 1,000 interceptors per year within five years, reshaping under‑sea air‑defence tactics.