Electronic seeker technology for Tomahawk Block IV missile demonstrated by Raytheon
NewsOctober 08, 2013
POINT LOMA, CA. Raytheon engineers finished field testing an advanced Electronic Support Measure (ESM) seeker that is installed in a Block IV Tomahawk missile as part Raytheon's new product improvement program. The ESM uses an antenna and a state-of-the-art processor to find and track moving and fixed emitting targets.
The new moving target capability enable the Tomahawk to engage moving targets on the ground," says Roy Donelson, Raytheon Missile Systems Tomahawk program director. The Tomahawk missile is an open architecture "truck" that can integrate payloads and sensors that have high technology readiness levels (TRLs), he adds. The ESM seeker's capability was validated during a test in a realistic high-density environment following seven months of testing in anechoic chambers.
Another major enhancement that was introduced with the Tomahawk Block IV missile includes a two-way satellite data-link that allows a strike controller to redirect the missile in-flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or more critical targets. The new multi-mode seeker capability would enable the Navy's Surface Action Group to fire Tomahawks from sanctuary and defeat mobile threats at long range.
