BGM-109 Tomahawk Block V
The U.S. Navy is recertifying and modernizing the Tomahawk missile, extending its service life by 15 years and resulting in a new series known as Block V. Raytheon Missiles & Defense will begin producing the new Block V missiles later in 2021, and has delivered the first upgraded Block IV systems to the Navy. The Navy completed Block V flight tests in December 2020. All Block IV missiles will be recertified, modernized and delivered as Block V missiles.
At one time a proposed Block V missile was to pioneer a new production method using modular design and construction technology to dramatically lower unit costs. Payload and guidance packages would be buyer-selectable based on use and budget.
The US Navy disclosed in early 2019 that recertified and modernized Tomahawk cruise missiles will be given the Block V designation. TACTOM missiles in a Block V configuration are Modernized, which include a navigation and communications (NAV/COMMs) upgrade. John Grady at USNI News reported January 22, 2020 that the Navy’s arsenal of Tomahawk cruise mmissiles will all become a Block V configuration, with older models to be retired and demilitarized, according to the program manager. “All Block IVs will be converted” and become Block V Tomahawks, said Capt. John Red, speaking to reporters during the 2020 Surface Navy Association Symposium.
Beginning in 2020, the U.S. Navy will recertify and modernize the missile, extending its service life by 15 years, and resulting in the new Tomahawk Block V series:
- Block V: A modernized TACTOM with upgraded navigation and communication
- Block Va: Block V that can strike moving targets at sea
- Block Vb: Block V, with a joint multi-effects warhead that can hit more diverse land targets
On 06 February 2019 The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that it intended to negotiate and award a contract for the studies, analysis, design, development, integration, and test of hardware, software, and algorithm solutions to add M-Code capable Anti-Jam GPS receiver (herein referred to as AGR5) into the modernized Tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM) Block V All-Up-Round (AUR). The scope includes delivering the preliminary and critical design phases of the TACTOM M-Code program development effort and to provide the top-level requirements definition, anti-jam receiver modeling, interface definition, software design, and documentation, resulting in a highly robust GPS navigation capability for the TACTOM All-Up-Round (AUR).
On 24 April 2019 the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that it intended to negotiate and award a contract for Full Rate Production (FRP) 16 & FRP 17 Tomahawk Block V All-Up-Round (AUR) Missiles. Contract award was anticipated for June 2020. This requirement is for Canistered Surface Ship Vertical Launch Tomahawk Block V AUR missiles and related hardware/equipment and services. In addition to other related items/services, this may include Software support and obsolescence management and resolution.
NAVAIR intends to award these effort to Raytheon Missiles Systems (RMS), P.O. Box 11337, Tucson, AZ 85734-1337. Since 1994, RMS has been the sole developer, designer, and manufacturer for the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. RMS solely possesses the current configuration and manufacturing data for the Tomahawk Block IV AUR missile, and is the only source capable of meeting scheduled thresholds for Fleet load outs of the Tomahawk Block IV AUR missile.
RMS maintains and controls both the Level III technical data package (TDP) and the manufacturing documentation for the Block IV AUR. TDPs adequate for competition of the Block IV AUR missile were not procured by the Navy. Because a detailed knowledge and expertise of the Tomahawk Block IV AUR missile is required to conduct tasking under this contract, RMS is the only known source capable of accomplishing this requirement in the required timeframe and without duplication of costs. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency. The data associated with the Tomahawk missile is export controlled and is not available to foreign sources or representatives.
On 10 December 2020 the U.S. Navy and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies business, successfully completed two flight tests with the franchise’s newest cruise missile variant, the Tomahawk Block V. During the tests, the USS Chafee (DDG 90) launched two Block V missiles, impacting targets at ranges on both San Nicolas Island and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California.
The advanced Tomahawk Block V includes improved navigation and communications. “These tests keep the Navy on schedule to introduce Block V into the fleet next year,” said Kim Ernzen, vice president of Naval Power at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. “Our modernization and recertification efforts will also extend the missile’s service life by 15 years.”
During the tests, the missiles were redirected mid-flight to different targets using their new advanced communications architecture systems. “The Block V capabilities reinforce Tomahawk’s unequivocal role as the Navy’s long-range strike weapon far into the future,” said Capt. John Red, the Navy’s Tomahawk Weapons System program manager. “These tests are tremendous milestones for our teams that have been working on these improvements for several years.”
The Navy received its first Block V configured Tomahawk missile from Raytheon March 25, 2021, paving the way to provide the fleet with an upgraded warfighting capability. These first Block V missiles are from the existing Tomahawk Block IV inventory, and have been recertified and modernized for fleet use. Raytheon is conducting the mid-life recertification process at its Camden, Arkansas facility. The process replaces life-limited components in Block IV missiles to enable their remaining 15 years of service life, and provides the opportunity for the missiles to receive Block V modernizations.
Additional Block V enhancements, such as a maritime strike capability (Block Va) and a programmable warhead for an expanded land attack capability (Block Vb), are in development for future deliveries. Block Va will strike moving targets at sea, while Block Vb will defeat a more diverse range of land targets.
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