USA: Raytheon Tests Seeker Technology for Tomahawk Block IV Missile

Raytheon Company completed a successful field test of an advanced Electronic Support Measure (ESM) seeker installed in a Block IV Tomahawk missile as part of the company’s new product improvement program.

The ESM seeker incorporates a state-of-the-art processor and antenna to locate and track moving and fixed emitting targets. The seeker’s capability was validated in a realistic high-density environment after seven months of testing in anechoic chambers.

“This new moving target capability would enhance Tomahawk’s already exceptional land attack mode capability by allowing it to engage moving targets on land,” said Roy Donelson, Tomahawk program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. “We believe this evolution would align with DOD’s vision of increasing capability while maintaining development costs.”

Raytheon continues to work with the U.S. Navy to evaluate Tomahawk’s technical and operational capabilities, while using cost-efficient manufacturing processes. A major enhancement introduced with 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.

“Raytheon is providing the U.S. Navy with a missile that can evolve its capability,” Donelson continued. “Tomahawk is an open architecture ‘truck’ capable of integrating payloads and sensors that have high technology readiness levels.”

The new multi-mode seeker technology would allow the Navy’s Surface Action Group to fire Tomahawks from sanctuary and defeat mobile threats at long range.

With a range of approximately 1,000 statute miles, the Tomahawk Block IV 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. More than 2,000 Tomahawks have been employed in combat. Tomahawk is integrated on all major U.S. surface combatants, as well as U.S. and U.K. sub-surface platforms, including the Los Angeles, Virginia, Ohio, Astute and Trafalgar-class submarines.

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Press Release,October 8, 2013