On November 1, the Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 executed live-fire exercises against simulated enemy missile fire with radar data coming from the guard ship. Three unmanned aircraft imitating missiles were fired at the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) while radar systems from the USS Normandy (CG 60) guided missile cruiser tracked the incoming threats. The Normandy intercepted the first two targets with two Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) interceptors, while the Truman deployed its Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) to defeat the third. “This missile exercise proves to our Sailors that their weapon systems work and that they themselves are capable of employing them,” said Normandy Commanding Officer, Capt. Derek Trinque.

In separate exercises, the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) also conducted intercepts using the SM-2.