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Tomahawk IV Flight Test Success from USS Donald Cook

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070123-03
Release Date: 1/23/2007 1:24:00 PM

From Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs

USS DONALD COOK, At Sea (NNS) -- A test of a U.S. Navy Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile was conducted Jan. 17 from USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), underway in the Gulf of Mexico.

Seconds after launch from the ship's vertical launch system, the Tomahawk missile transitioned to cruise flight. It flew a fully guided 645-nautical mile test flight using global positioning satellite and digital scene matching area correlator navigation. The one-hour, 30-minute flight concluded at a target and recovery site on Eglin Air Force Base land range.

The Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) provides command and control of the missile during launch and while in-flight. Using TTWCS, the ship can redirect the Tomahawk to a new target during flight. TTWCS has been developed for the Navy by Lockheed Martin, Management and Data Systems in Valley Forge, Penn.

This marked the first execution of a Tomahawk Block IV test mission into Eglin ranges.

“This successful launch of a Tomahawk Block IV missile demonstrates the increased responsiveness and flexibility that the Block IV weapon system brings to the fight," said Tomahawk Program Manager, Capt. Rick McQueen. "We are delivering an unprecedented capability to the warfighter. It also demonstrates the Government/Industry team's commitment to excellence and quality. Our goal is simple - be the Nation's premier strike weapon of choice."

This test also marked the first Block IV launch from Donald Cook. Although a first with Block IV, the ship is very familiar with the Tomahawk missile, as it took part in the first strikes in Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 20, 2003.

“Donald Cook takes great pleasure to showcase the latest advancements in the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon System,” said Cmdr. John M. Esposito, commanding officer of Donald Cook. “This successful test firing proves the legacy of the U.S. Navy's premier weapon system, and shows that it continues to lead the way in uncertain times. The software improvements coupled with the Block IV missile will provide commanders ashore a tremendously flexible system in meeting our warfighting requirements."

The Tomahawk cruise missile is a long range, subsonic cruise missile used for land attack warfare, launched from surface ships and submarines. Tomahawk is designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds, and can be flown over evasive routes by several mission tailored guidance systems. 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.