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| Press Release Number: EPEOW200303211 | 21-Mar-03 |
Tactical Tomahawk Penetrates Test Range Target |
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| The Navy's next generation of Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, the Tactical Tomahawk, took flight today at the White Sands Missile Test Range, New Mexico as part of a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) sponsored advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD). This marked the first developmental test flight of the Tactical Tomahawk configured with a live penetration warhead. The Tactical Tomahawk was launched vertically from a ground test stand that simulated the normal shipboard Vertical Launching System. The missile successfully executed all missile boost phase events and transitioned to cruise flight for its assigned land attack mission. The missile flew a fully guided flight using global positioning system (GPS) and digital scene matching area correlation (DSMAC) navigation updates and impacted its intended target with precision accuracy. All Tomahawk test objectives appeared to have been successfully demonstrated. When asked to comment on the test, Navy Capt. Bob Novak, program manager for the Tomahawk All-Up-Round missile explained, "completion of this flight test continues to demonstrate the unprecedented capability of this weapon system. Today's flight proves that the Tactical Tomahawk design is robust and flexible enough to potentially carry different payloads if required by the operating forces. The program remains on track to provide the Fleet with the most technologically advanced land attack cruise missile ever built." He went on to say, "I am extremely proud of this government/industry team.their efforts will put absolute combat power and flexibility into the hands of the fleet in the near future. Simply put, Tactical Tomahawk will be a centerpiece of an unheard of revolution in strike warfare planning and execution." The Tactical Tomahawk, or Block IV, is the latest variant of the Navy's premiere cruise missile, due to reach the fleet in 2004. It is managed as part of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) team. The Tomahawk is ship and submarine launched, and was first employed operationally during Desert Storm. Since then, the missile has been heralded for its accuracy and lethality. The Tactical Tomahawk will boast several enhancements including mission planning onboard the launch platform, in-flight retargeting, loiter and battle damage assessment capability, and in-flight health and status reports. These capabilities increase fleet effectiveness, while significantly reducing acquisition and life cycle costs. As in all Tomahawk flight tests, extreme safety precautions were maintained throughout the entire flight evolution. Tomahawk is a registered trademark of the U.S. Navy. The manufacturer of the Tomahawk is Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson Az. NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch and recovery; from sensor data to precision targeting and real-time communications; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment and sustainment; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter. |
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