Raytheon Company have delivered the 4,000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to the US Navy.
According to the company, 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.”
Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president said:
“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.
We’re not resting on our past success. Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are modernising 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. Modernised Tomahawk cruise missiles will be in the US Navy’s inventory beyond 2040.
Capt. Mark Johnson of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command said:
“Navy Sailors around the globe rely on the Tomahawk weapon system to preserve freedom at home and abroad.
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 US and British forces to defeat integrated air defence systems and conduct long-range precision strike missions against high-value targets.
I am now a bit confused. Is Tomahawk still in production or as per this article are the missiles built just getting upgrades only? Anyone know. Obviously if still in production the RN should purchase more of these weapons asap as far superior to RAF storm shadow, in all performance criteria.
With the addition of “a multi-mode seeker so it can hit moving targets at sea”, would this not be an ideal replacement for Harpoon, as well as giving a long range land strike capability? T-26 will have the V41 launcher and the T-45 has provision for 12 x V41 to be fitted.
The Type 31 should also have Mark 41 VLS to accommodate Tomahawk at the very least. A naval version of Tomahawk will need to reach Mach 3 (sacrificing range) in my opinion.
Well that’s what the Sm6 is for, it will sacrifice range but fly at mach 4 at 400km, at that speed the small 64kg warhead will make a huge impact!