BGM-109 Tomahawk

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=Tomahawk cruise missile


caption=
origin=
type=Long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile
used_by=
manufacturer=General Dynamics (initially)
Raytheon/McDonnell Douglas
unit_cost=$569,000 [ [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=1300&ct=2 The US Navy - Fact File ] ]
propellant=
production_date=
service=1983-present
engine=Williams International F107-WR-402 turbofan
using TH-dimer fuel
and a solid-fuel booster
weight=convert|1440|kg
length=Without booster: 5.56 mWith booster: 6.25 m
height=
diameter=0.52 m
wingspan=2.67 m
speed=Subsonic - about 550 mph (880 km/h)
vehicle_range=2500km
ceiling=
altitude=
filling=Conventional: 1,000 lb (450 kg) Bullpup, or submunitions dispenser with BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb, or a 200 kiloton of TNT (840 terajoule) W80 nuclear device (inactivated per SALT)
guidance=GPS, TERCOM, DSMAC
detonation=FMU-148 since TLAM Block III, others for special applications
launch_platform=Vertical Launch System (VLS) and horizontal submarine torpedo tubes (known as TTL (torpedo tube launch)

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile. Introduced by General Dynamics in the 1970s, it was designed as a medium- to long-range, low-altitude missile that could be launched from a submerged submarine. It has been improved several times and, by way of corporate divestitures and acquisitions, is now made by Raytheon. Some Tomahawks were also manufactured by McDonnell Douglas." [http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/harpoons.htm McDonnell Douglas: History — New Markets] ," Boeing history website.]

Description

There have been several variants of the BGM-109 Tomahawk employing various types of warheads. The operational versions include the unitary conventional land attack TLAM-C, the bomblet-dispensing land attack TLAM-D, the nuclear land attack TLAM-A and TLAM-N, [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/slcm.htm Tomahawk] TLAM-N were withdrawn from service in 1992. From www.globalsecurity.org accessed 02/02/2008.] and the Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM). Ground Launch Cruise Missiles (GLCM) and their truck-like launch vehicles were destroyed to comply with the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

The Block III TLAMs that entered service in 1993 can fly farther and use Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers to strike more precisely. Block IV TLAMs have a better Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC) system as well as improved turbojet engines. The WR-402 engine provided the new BLK III with a throttle control, allowing in-flight speed changes. This engine also provided better fuel economy. The Block IV Phase II TLAMs have better deep-strike capabilities and are equipped with a real-time targeting system for striking moving targets.

Tactical Tomahawk

A major improvement to the Tomahawk is its network-centric warfare-capabilities, using data from multiple sensors (aircraft, UAVs, satellites, foot soldiers, tanks, ships) to find its target. It will also be able to send data from its sensors to these platforms. It will be a part of the networked force being implemented by the Pentagon.

”Tactical Tomahawk” equips the TLAM with a TV-camera for battlefield observation loitering that allows warfighting commanders to assess damage to the target and to redirect the missile to an alternative target. Additionally the Tactical Tomahawk is able to be reprogrammed in-flight to attack one of 16 predesignated targets with GPS coordinates stored in its memory or to any other GPS coordinates. Also, the missile can send data about its status back to the commander. It entered service with the Navy in late 2004.