Videos show US Navy destroyers intercepting Iran’s ballistic missiles

The United States Navy released videos showing its destroyers fired interceptors to bring down Iranian ballistic missiles in defense of Israel from the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday.

According to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, destroyers USS Bulkeley and USS Cole fired a dozen interceptors against the incoming Iranian ballistic missiles to help defend Israel. The U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet later confirmed that the warships were stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, and they engaged “multiple” Iranian ballistic missiles.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran claimed that the attacks have been conducted over the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, as well as the killings of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC General Abbas Nilforushan.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the air defense systems of Israel and the U.S. operated effectively to engage 180 ballistic missiles fired from Iran. It acknowledged some missiles hit Israeli air bases, but the impacts were ineffective as no Israeli air force aircraft were damaged.

According to Ryder, Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles targeting several locations in Israel. Although the Pentagon still assessed the outcomes of the destroyers’ interception, the Sixth Fleet said, “multiple missiles are believed to have been successfully engaged.”

Both the destroyers are the Arleigh Burke-class, equipped with the Aegis weapons system and interceptors designed for ballistic missile defense, the Sixth Fleet added. This class of warship provides what the Navy called multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities.

The Aegis is a centralized, automated, command-and-control, and weapons control system designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill, manufacturer Lockheed Martin said. By integrating sensors and weapons, it provides an integrated air and missile defense.

The U.S. Naval Institute-run USNI News reported that, citing a U.S. official, the Bulkeley and the Cole used the Standard Missile 3 during the engagement with the Iranian missiles.

The interceptor is designed for destroying short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles, manufacturer Raytheon said. Instead of using an explosive warhead, it uses sheer force to destroy its target, a technique that has been likened to using a bullet to intercept another bullet.

This was not the first time the Standard Missile 3 was used in combat. During the April Iranian strikes against Israel, destroyers USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney launched four to seven interceptors on the incoming Iranian ballistic missiles, USNI News reported.

According to the U.S.-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, the Standard Missile 3 cost from $9.7 million (Block IB variant) to $27.9 million (Block IIA variant) apiece.

The Block IB has an upgraded steering and propulsion capability, while the Block IIA, which was developed with Japan, is capable of defending broader areas and has a larger, enhanced kinetic warhead, also known as a “kill vehicle,” to hit ballistic missile threats.