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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

TOMAHAWK WEAPON SYSTEM (TWS)

	Navy ACAT IC Program 4 170 missiles Total program cost (TY$) $11,210M Average unit cost (TY$) $1.4M Full-rate production 3QFY84 TBIP production 1QFY02 Prime Contractor Hughes Missile Systems Company

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

TOMAHAWK is a long-range cruise missile designed to be launched from submarines and surface ships against land targets. Three primary variants are currently operational: nuclear land attack (TLAM-N) (not deployed), conventional land attack (TLAM-C), and conventional land attack submunition (TLAM-D). Each missile is contained within a pressurized canister to form an all-up-round (AUR). The submarine AUR is launched from torpedo or vertical tubes. Surface ships employ a vertical launching system (VLS) to launch various missile types, including the TOMAHAWK AUR. Engagement planning, missile initialization, and launch control functions are performed aboard the launch platform by a Combat Control System (submarines) or TOMAHAWK Weapon Control System (TWCS) (surface ships). Targeting for TOMAHAWK is supported by the Theater Mission Planning Center (TMPC) and by the Over-the-Horizon Detection, Classification, and Targeting System.

TOMAHAWK provides perhaps one of the most recognizable example of a precision engagement system in the U.S. inventory, and has done so since its IOC in 1984. Upgrades, leading to the Block III TLAM-C and TLAM-D configurations, have improved the system's flexibility. Additional technological innovations are currently in development, and are envisioned to further increase TOMAHAWK's responsiveness and to exploit information superiority.

Development began in 1972. The program originally included a ship-attack variant (TASM) in addition to the three land-attack variants. IOT&E began in 1981. DOT&E submitted B-LRIP reports for TASM and TLAM-N in 1984, for TLAM-C in 1985, and for TLAM-D in 1991.

The Block III upgrade to TLAM-C and TLAM-D includes GPS navigation, improvements to the terminal update system (DSMAC IIA), time-of-arrival control, and a new warhead for TLAM-C. The TWCS software was also upgraded to a Block III configuration. A major upgrade to the TMPC (hardware and software) was undertaken at approximately the same time. OT&E of the Block III AUR was completed in FY92 and TWCS testing was completed in FY93. OT&E of the upgraded TMPC was completed in FY94. End-to-end FOT&E of the Block III TOMAHAWK Weapon System (TWS) was also completed in FY94.

Improvements to the Block III TOMAHAWK Weapon System (TWS) are ongoing. The most recent upgrades are software version 2.4 for the TMPC and the Advanced TOMAHAWK Weapon Control System (ATWCS). ATWCS is planned as a comprehensive upgrade to the current TWCS, replacing the 1970s vintage hardware and rehosting and upgrading the software. ATWCS implementation will proceed in two stages, replacing first the current TWCS Track Control Group, then the current Launch Control Group. The next major upgrade, the Baseline IV or TOMAHAWK Baseline Improvement Program (TBIP), is currently scheduled to enter OT in FY99.

OT-IIJ was conducted to evaluate the ATWCS Track Control Group (TCG) replacement. Testing was conducted aboard the Aegis cruiser USS Montgomery and at Naval Surface Warfare Center-Dahlgren Division (NSWC-DD). USS Montgomery participated in two 24-hour over-the-horizon targeting scenarios, while cooperating with the command ship USS Mount Whitney and the Aegis destroyer USS Mitscher. The scenarios included several simulated TLAM engagements, and the testing culminated in the flight of one Block II TLAM-C, launched by USS Montgomery.

OT-IIID, an evaluation of version 2.4.1 of the TMPC, was continued into FY97. Version 2.4.1 of the TMPC includes the Precision Targeting Workstation (PTW), which performs tasking analysis, supports imagery data analysis, and generates mission task folders and target folders. Version 2.4.1 also includes streamlined planning of Precision Strike TOMAHAWK missions, more robust mission planning in the presence of atmospheric and meteorological variations, and better compatibility of data formats with National systems. Testing includes the planning of 15 missions and the delivery of more than 90 missions over communications circuits. One Block III TLAM-C has been flown in support of this test phase. Other testing, at NSWC-DD, is still in progress.

OT-IIIX is an ongoing program to build a data base on TLAM accuracy and reliability. Data from a total of 8 FY97 TLAM flights will contribute to this data base. OT-IIIX is scheduled to be completed in FY99.

The TOMAHAWK Weapons System continues to be an effective system based on the Operation Test Launches conducted this year. But TLAM experience in Desert Strike and in Bosnia uncovered weaknesses in certain segments of TWS when optimum performance was demanded in a dynamically changing environment. In response to this experience DOTE renewed emphasis on end-to-end testing in stressful environments to ensure all segments of the system can meet precision strike requirements in the future.

ATWCS tests demonstrated the TCGR to be potentially operationally effective but not operationally suitable.