Tomahawk Upgrades Improve Weapon System Performance

The U.S. Navy and Raytheon Company completed successful back-to-back Tomahawk cruise missile flight tests that validated recent software improvements. The upgrades improve weapon system performance.

In the first test, the nuclear submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) fired a Tomahawk Block IV from the sub’s vertical capsule launch system. The missile flew a pre-planned mission until a strike controller located at a maritime command center directed the Tomahawk to a new target. The missile successfully demonstrated enhanced flex retargeting before striking the updated target at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake weapons range.

In the second test, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) launched a Tomahawk Block IV. The Tomahawk flew a series of pre-planned high altitude maneuvers demonstrating improved performance in this flight regime. The missile completed a pre-planned vertical dive impacting a target on San Nicolas Island off the Southern California coast.

“These flight tests demonstrate how Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are working together to enhance this already sophisticated weapon,” said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. “By constantly improving Tomahawk, we are helping to ensure that U.S. and allied warfighters have this critical capability far into the future.”