U.S. Navy, Raytheon deliver 4,000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile

[The SC]

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Navy have delivered the 4,000th Tomahawk™ Block IV cruise missile to the fleet. The highly advanced missile can circle for hours, shift course instantly on command and strike with pinpoint accuracy.

Launched from ships or submarines, the Tomahawk missile can fly into heavily defended airspace 1,000 miles away to conduct precise strikes on high-value targets with minimal collateral damage.

"When it comes to flexibility, accuracy and firepower, no other cruise missile in the world compares to Tomahawk. That's why it's been called the nation's weapon of choice," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "We're not resting on our past success. Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are modernizing Tomahawk to provide sailors with the capability they need to stay ahead of the evolving threat."

Upgrades to the Tomahawk missile include enhancements to the weapon's communications and navigation capabilities, while adding a multi-mode seeker so it can hit moving targets at sea. Some of these enhancements will be implemented beginning in 2019. Other upgrades will be phased in over time. Modernized Tomahawk cruise missiles will be in the U.S. Navy's inventory beyond 2040.

"Navy Sailors around the globe rely on the Tomahawk weapon system to preserve freedom at home and abroad," said Capt. Mark Johnson of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command. "Working with Raytheon, we plan to continue upgrading and delivering Tomahawks far into the future."

Fired in combat more than 2,300 times, Tomahawk cruise missiles are used by U.S. and British forces to defeat integrated air defense systems and conduct long-range precision strike missions against high-value targets.

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2017-...iver-4-000th-Tomahawk-Block-IV-cruise-missile
http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2017-...iver-4-000th-Tomahawk-Block-IV-cruise-missile

 

[The SC]

The latest variant (Tomahawk Block IV) includes a two-way satellite data-link that enables the missile to be retargeted in flight to preprogrammed, alternate targets. The Block IV design was initiated as both a cost savings and a capability improvement effort.

Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are now enhancing this already sophisticated weapon with upgraded communications, a more powerful warhead and a new seeker designed to hit moving targets at sea or on land in darkness and all kinds of weather.

Modernizing Tomahawk is a quick and affordable way to provide warfighters with the capability they need to stay ahead of the threat.

http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/tomahawk/

Tomahawk Block IV Tactical Cruise Missile (TLAM)

The latest version of the 32 year old Tactical Tomahawk is the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile, currently in full rate production at Raytheon. Like its predecessors, the missile is equipped with a conventional warhead and offers flexible targeting and loitering capabilities. The new missile is supported by an improved mission planning and platform weapons control capabilities. Deployed with surface ships and submarines, TLAM is equipped with a two-way satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing battlefield conditions. The strike controller can "flex" the missile in flight to alternate targets preprogrammed before launch, or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield, awaiting a more critical target. The missile can also transmit battle damage indication imagery and missile health and status messages via the satellite data link. And, for the first time, firing platforms have the capability to plan and execute GPS-only missions. Block IV will also introduce an anti-jam GPS receiver for improved mission performance. The Block IV costs less half the price of a newly built Block III missile. Another variant of the Tomahawk is the Penetrator under development as part of a US Navy Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). This missile variant is equipped with a penetrating warhead and a new Hard Target Smart Fuze, also sponsored by DTRA. Further enhancements could also see the use of Morphing Wings, which would enable efficient flight at multiple speeds and altitudes without sacrificing performance as is currently the case when operating off the optimized cruise point.

http://defense-update.com/products/t/tomahawk.htm

Tomahawk Block IV missile

During flight it can move to 15 alternative targets..
A new warhead capable of penetrating fortresses + enhanced explosive force..
It can create a deep hole in the ground and penetrate the best solid structures..

8 October 2013
The USS DDG 88 launched The tomahawk Missile at approximately 1000 miles from its target. And it was able to pursue and destroy the mobile target accurately..
The experiment took place in a training area off the coast of California.

 

[Baloch Pakistani]

View attachment 418716

The latest variant (Tomahawk Block IV) includes a two-way satellite data-link that enables the missile to be retargeted in flight to preprogrammed, alternate targets. The Block IV design was initiated as both a cost savings and a capability improvement effort.

Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are now enhancing this already sophisticated weapon with upgraded communications, a more powerful warhead and a new seeker designed to hit moving targets at sea or on land in darkness and all kinds of weather.

Modernizing Tomahawk is a quick and affordable way to provide warfighters with the capability they need to stay ahead of the threat.

http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/tomahawk/

Tomahawk Block IV Tactical Cruise Missile (TLAM)

The latest version of the 32 year old Tactical Tomahawk is the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile, currently in full rate production at Raytheon. Like its predecessors, the missile is equipped with a conventional warhead and offers flexible targeting and loitering capabilities. The new missile is supported by an improved mission planning and platform weapons control capabilities. Deployed with surface ships and submarines, TLAM is equipped with a two-way satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing battlefield conditions. The strike controller can "flex" the missile in flight to alternate targets preprogrammed before launch, or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield, awaiting a more critical target. The missile can also transmit battle damage indication imagery and missile health and status messages via the satellite data link. And, for the first time, firing platforms have the capability to plan and execute GPS-only missions. Block IV will also introduce an anti-jam GPS receiver for improved mission performance. The Block IV costs less half the price of a newly built Block III missile. Another variant of the Tomahawk is the Penetrator under development as part of a US Navy Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). This missile variant is equipped with a penetrating warhead and a new Hard Target Smart Fuze, also sponsored by DTRA. Further enhancements could also see the use of Morphing Wings, which would enable efficient flight at multiple speeds and altitudes without sacrificing performance as is currently the case when operating off the optimized cruise point.

http://defense-update.com/products/t/tomahawk.htm

Tomahawk Block IV missile

View attachment 418725

During flight it can move to 15 alternative targets..
A new warhead capable of penetrating fortresses + enhanced explosive force..
It can create a deep hole in the ground and penetrate the best solid structures..

View attachment 418723


8 October 2013
The USS DDG 88 launched The tomahawk Missile at approximately 1000 miles from its target. And it was able to pursue and destroy the mobile target accurately..
The experiment took place in a training area off the coast of California.

View attachment 418727

View attachment 418728

View attachment 418729

How useful are airbases against a barrage of cruise missiles? I think cruise missiles can neutralize the whole air force of a small country by just keep attacking their airbases. No need of risking the expensive fighter jets for this type of mission. @Windjammer what do you think ?

 

[Windjammer]

How useful are airbases against a barrage of cruise missiles? I think cruise missiles can neutralize the whole air force of a small country by just keep attacking their airbases. No need of risking the expensive fighter jets for this type of mission. @Windjammer what do you think ?

We saw during the Gulf War the Shock & Awe delivered by the Tomhawks... but you still need fighter jets to carryout other missions.

 

[Baloch Pakistani]

We saw during the Gulf War the Shock & Awe delivered by the Tomhawks... but you still need fighter jets to carryout other missions.

But what if india does the same to PAF with their Nirbhay (if successful)? Can cruise missiles deliver so strong of a punch that an air force cannot recover from that? Of course Pakistan can do the same to india but India still has much deeper strategic depth as compared to pak. But i think that will be the time when non nuclear ballistic missiles will be used by Pakistan.
I think i just answered my own question.

 

[The SC]

How useful are airbases against a barrage of cruise missiles? I think cruise missiles can neutralize the whole air force of a small country by just keep attacking their airbases. No need of risking the expensive fighter jets for this type of mission. @Windjammer what do you think ?

The worst part is that the Tomahawk is used in other missions too, like eliminating the air defences, mobile targets, be it BM TELs or ships and even underground bankers with this new version..