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Dahlgren Division Celebrates Birthday with Tactical Tomahawk Milestone

NAVSEA News Wire

Release Date: 11/22/2002

By NSWC Dahlgren Division Public Affairs

DAHLGREN, Va. -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division recently marked its 227th birthday with a significant milestone in the Tomahawk program when the first Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System was used to successfully prepare and launch a Tomahawk Block III missile from USS Stethem (DDG 63) into the China Lake test range area.

This launch also marked the first use of the Launch Platform Mission Planner, a Dahlgren Division capability built into the missile's weapon control system that allows the crew to create the mission the missile would fly.

Previously, the overland portion of the mission was planned either at a shore-based or carrier-based support site. The Launch Platform Mission Planner reduces platform response times and allows ships' crews to quickly respond to emerging targets in an unpredictable battle environment.

The test event represents a significant step toward increased tactical responsiveness required for tactical Tomahawk.