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Tomahawk Program Completes First Two Tests of Production Block IV Missiles

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040929-06
Release Date: 9/29/2004 1:38:00 PM

By Sandra Schroeder, Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs, PEO(W)

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's Tomahawk program completed two successful tests of the new block IV (Tactical Tomahawk) Tomahawk missile in September.

Sept. 16, the first Production Verification Test was conducted at Naval Surface Warfare Center's Indian Head Division. The test capability at Indian Head allowed the missile to be launched while secured to a ground test stand and test the entire weapon, including the rocket motor, engine and guidance and navigation systems. A U.S. Navy Tomahawk block IV missile, with an inert warhead, was installed into Indian Head's Functional Ground Test Facility and "launched," completing a simulated mission.

A second test was conducted Sept. 21 aboard USS Stethem (DDG 63), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer under way in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern Calif. A U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missile was launched and flew a land-attack mission, launching from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sea ranges. The test marked the first such use of a new Tomahawk block IV production missile.

Seconds after launch from the ship's vertical launch system, the Tomahawk missile transitioned to cruise flight, utilizing global positioning satellite navigation to a target site on the NAVAIR land range. The block IV missile flew a fully-guided 674-nautical-mile flight.

"Both of these tests were good indicators of the quality of the Block IV missile being built by Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson," said Capt. Bob Novak, program manager for the Tomahawk All-Up-Round Programs (PMA-280). "We took two missiles off of our production line and tested them in environments that allow us to learn about our quality and the capability that we are delivering to the fleet. We are very pleased at the initial assessment of the missile test data. It reflects well on the tremendous team effort of the Navy-Raytheon Team."

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. 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, Md. The missile is manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. Tomahawk is a registered trademark of the U.S. Navy.