Raytheon Makes Tomahawk Cruise Missiles

Introduction to Tomahawk Cruise Missiles

The Tomahawk cruise missile is a subsonic cruise missile used for land attack and anti-ship missions. It is manufactured by Raytheon Technologies, a leading American aerospace and defense company. The Tomahawk missile is designed to fly at low altitudes, using terrain-following radar and GPS to navigate and avoid obstacles. With a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, the Tomahawk is a highly effective weapon system used by the US Navy and Royal Navy.

History of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile

The development of the Tomahawk cruise missile began in the 1970s, with the US Navy seeking a new missile system to replace the Regulus cruise missile. The Tomahawk was first deployed in 1983 and has since undergone several upgrades and improvements. The missile has been used in various military conflicts, including the Gulf War and the War in Afghanistan. The Tomahawk’s proven track record and reliability have made it a valuable asset for military forces around the world.

Key Features of the Tomahawk Cruise Missile

The Tomahawk cruise missile has several key features that make it an effective weapon system. These include: * Long-range: The Tomahawk has a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, allowing it to strike targets at a significant distance. * Low-observable design: The missile’s low-observable design makes it difficult to detect and intercept. * Terrain-following radar: The Tomahawk uses terrain-following radar to navigate and avoid obstacles. * GPS guidance: The missile uses GPS to guide it to its target. * Multiple warhead options: The Tomahawk can be equipped with various warhead options, including high-explosive and penetrator warheads.

Tomahawk Cruise Missile Variants

There are several variants of the Tomahawk cruise missile, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities. These include: * Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM): The TLAM is the most common variant of the Tomahawk, used for land attack missions. * Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM): The TASM is a variant of the Tomahawk used for anti-ship missions. * Tomahawk Block II: The Tomahawk Block II is an upgraded variant of the missile, featuring improved guidance systems and warhead options. * Tomahawk Block III: The Tomahawk Block III is the latest variant of the missile, featuring advanced guidance systems and warhead options.

Tomahawk Cruise Missile Production and Deployment

The Tomahawk cruise missile is manufactured by Raytheon Technologies at its facilities in Tucson, Arizona. The missile is deployed on US Navy and Royal Navy ships and submarines, including guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. The Tomahawk is also used by other military forces around the world, including the Canadian Navy and the Australian Navy.

💡 Note: The Tomahawk cruise missile is a highly effective and reliable weapon system, with a proven track record in military conflicts.

Future Developments and Upgrades

The Tomahawk cruise missile is continuously being upgraded and improved, with new guidance systems and warhead options being developed. The US Navy and Royal Navy are also exploring new ways to use the Tomahawk, including network-centric warfare and joint operations. With its long-range and low-observable design, the Tomahawk cruise missile will remain a valuable asset for military forces around the world for years to come.

Variant	Range	Warhead	Guidance
TLAM	1,000 nautical miles	High-explosive	GPS and terrain-following radar
TASM	300 nautical miles	Anti-ship	GPS and active radar
Tomahawk Block II	1,000 nautical miles	High-explosive and penetrator	GPS and terrain-following radar
Tomahawk Block III	1,000 nautical miles	High-explosive and penetrator	GPS and advanced guidance systems

In summary, the Tomahawk cruise missile is a highly effective and reliable weapon system, with a proven track record in military conflicts. Its long-range and low-observable design make it a valuable asset for military forces around the world. With its continuous upgrades and improvements, the Tomahawk will remain a key component of military forces for years to come.