Raytheon delivered the 3000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to the U.S. Navy. Tomahawk is the U.S. weapon of choice for standoff prec...
Raytheon delivered the 3000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to the U.S. Navy. Tomahawk is the U.S. weapon of choice for standoff precision strikes into enemy territory.
The Block IV variant is warrantied for 15 years. Following successful recertification, the missile will be returned to service for another 15 years upon commencement of re-certifications in 2019.
A major enhancement introduced in the Tomahawk Block IV missile includes a two-way satellite data-link that enables a strike controller to redirect the missile in-flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or more critical targets. With a range of 1,000 miles, the Tomahawk missile is a surface- and submarine-launched precision strike stand-off weapon. Tomahawk is designed for long-range precision strike missions against high-value and heavily defended targets.
Since its introduction, about 6,000 Tomahawks have been manufactured, with 2,000 fired during military operations. Due to its subsonic speed, Tomahawk is now vulnerable to anti-cruise missile surface-to-air missile threats. To counter this, the U.S. is developing a stealthy successor to the Tomahawk called the Cruise Missile XR (Extended Range). It will weigh 4,400 lbs, have a 2,000 km (1,200 mi) range, and a 2,000 lb warhead.
