BGM-109 Tomahawk
A Tomahawk cruise missile
The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range cruise missile designed by the General Dynamics in the 1970s. It was designed as a medium to long range, low altitude aircraft that could be launched from a submerged submarine. It was subsequently deployed both on submarines and surface vessels as well as in a nuclear equipped Air Force version (GLCM-Ground Launch Cruise Missile) that could be launched from trucks. Both the GLCM launch vehicles and GLCM missiles were destroyed as a result of the 1987 Intermediate (Range) Nuclear Forces Treaty.
The Tomahawk can be used against surface ships, as the Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM), or land targets, employing several different types of warheads. Three primary variants are currently operational: nuclear land attack (TLAM-N) (not deployed), conventional land attack (TLAM-C, unitary warhead), and conventional land attack submunition (TLAM-D, dispense bomblets). It is an all-weather, subsonic missile with stubby wings, powered by a small turbofan engine. The small size of the Tomahawk gives it a low radar cross section and its low-level flight profile makes it difficult to intercept. Before launch, each missile is contained within a pressurized canister to form an all-up-round (AUR) to protect the missile during transportation and storage, and to act as a launch tube. The submarine AUR is launched from torpedo or vertical tubes (e.g. the later Los Angeles class submarines). Surface ships employ a vertical launching system (VLS). A solid fuel booster with steering vanes in its exhaust is used for launch and to provide steering during the initial few seconds of flight while the wings and control surfaces are deployed.
Launch of a Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile from the USS Stethem
The Tomahawk is launched on a preset course above the water and, as it crosses over land, switches to an inertial and Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) system to guide the missile to its target with terminal guidance from the Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) sytem, producing an accuracy of around 10m. The Block III TLAMs, entered service in 1993, have an extended range and incorporate a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for improved reliability and time-of-arrival control to permit coordinated strikes between other missiles and aircraft. Block IV TLAMs have an upgraded DSMAC system; new Time of Arrival (TOA) control, and improved turbo engines.
In the 1991 Persian Gulf conflict, 288 Tomahawks were launched at tactical targets. Twelve of the Tomahawks were launched by two attack submarines.
The Tomahawk Weapon System (TWS) consists of four major components: Tomahawk Missile, Theater Mission Planning Center (TMPC)/Afloat Planning System (APS), Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TWCS) for surface ships, and Combat Control System (CCS) for submarines.
The progression of Tomahawk weapon control systems are as follows...
TWCS - Tomahawk Weapon Control System (1983) also known as "Green screens", was based on an old tank computing system.
ATWCS - Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control System (1994), First COTS System, Commercial Off the Shelf, uses HPUX.
TTWCS - Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System, Just now being deployed (2003) Increased capability over the ATWCS System.
In 1995, a sales agreement between the UK and USA led to the procurement of over sixty Tomahawk missiles. The missile would be operated by the Royal Navy's (RN) fleet of nuclear submarines. The first missiles were acquired in 1998, with the first RN Tomahawk test also occurring that year. It is, as of 2004, in use with the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class nuclear fleet submarines, and it is planned all RN submarines will be Tomahawk capable by 2008. The Tomahawk will also be deployed by the future Astute-class nuclear fleet submarine. In 2004, the UK and USA governments reached an agreement for the UK to buy sixty-four of the new generation of Tomahawk missile, the Block IV or TacTom missile. The SYLVER vertical launch system to be fitted to the Type 45 destroyer is claimed to have the capability to fire the Tomahawk by its manufacturers. Therefore it would appear that Tomahawk is a candidate to be fitted to the T45 if the decision is made to fit her with cruise missiles. However, there is some doubt over the truth of the manufacturer's claims. France, which also uses the SYLVER launcher, is developing a version of the Storm Shadow/Scalp cruise missile capable of launch from the SYLVER system, which would give a similar land attack capability.
It was first used by the RN, when HMS Splendid fired Tomahawks during the Kosovo War in 1999. It was later used by the RN in the Afghanistan War in 2001, as-well as Operation Telic, the British contribution to the 2003 Iraq War.
Length: 5.56 m; with booster: 6.25 m.
Diameter: 518 mm.
Wing Span: 2.67 m.
Weight: 1192.5 kg; 1440 kg with booster.
Power Plant: Williams International F107-WR-402 turbo-fan and a solid-fuel booster.
Range: 1100 km.
Speed: about 880 km/h
Warheads: Conventional: 1,000 lb (450 kg) Bullpup, or submunitions dispenser with combined effect bomblets, or 200 kiloton W-80 nuclear device.
Date Deployed: 1983
Costs: $1,900,000 - average unit cost; $11,210,000,000 - total program cost.
Royal Navy