• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer USS Stethem Launches Tomahawks in West Coast Tests

NAVAIR Release

Press Release Number: EPEOW200308221

Release Date: 8/22/2003

Two successful test launches of U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missiles were conducted this week from the USS STETHEM(DDG-63), an ARLEIGH BURKE-Class destroyer underway in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern Calif. The new Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) was utilized to prepare and launch the cruise missiles.

Both tests were part of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons System (TTWS) operational evaluation process. This phase of operational evaluation is focused on verifying the effectiveness and suitability of TTWCS to prepare and launch block III Tomahawks. The system will allow increased flexibility and permit launch platform mission planning. Additionally, the system will reduce the operator's workload and decrease the time required to prepare and launch the missile. The Tactical Tomahawk weapons system will be delivered to the fleet in the spring of 2004.

Tomahawk missiles are deployed throughout the world's oceans on numerous surface ships and submarines, including AEGIS-Class Cruisers, Guided Missile Destroyers, and SEAWOLF and LOS ANGELES-Class submarines.

As in all Tomahawk flight tests, air route safety was carefully planned in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For safety purposes, the Tomahawk could have been guided by commands from safety chase aircraft.

The Tomahawk program is managed by the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO(W)) co-located at the NAVAIR complex in Patuxent River, Maryland. TTWCS is manufactured by Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems in Valley Forge, PA. The missile is manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ. Tomahawk is a registered trademark of the United States Navy.

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.