Tomahawk cruise missile seeker test completed by Raytheon
NewsJanuary 18, 2016
TUCSON, Arizona. Raytheon completed a captive flight test of a seeker designed to enable Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles to engage moving targets on sea or land.
The test was conducted via Raytheon-funded, independent research and development (IRAD) with a modified Tomahawk missile nose cone that was mounted on a T-39 test aircraft and equipped with a seeker integrated with the company's new, modular, multi-mode processor. The aircraft flew profiles that simulated the Tomahawk flight regime, aiming at moving targets on land and in the maritime environment over a three-week period.
In June, 2014, Raytheon Missile Systems demonstrated seeker components in a similar captive flight test. Last month's captive flight test of the seeker demonstrated Technology Readiness Level 6 (Prototype in Representative Environment) of the seeker components needed to meet the moving land and maritime strike requirements. These improvements enabled the enhancement of the current Tomahawk long-range precision strike/land attack role.
The Tomahawk Block IV has a range of about 1,000 statute miles, and is a surface- and submarine-launched, precision strike, stand-off weapon. It is created for long-range precision strike missions against high-value and heavily defended targets. More than 2,000 Tomahawks have been deployed in combat. More than 500 Tomahawk flight and production validation tests have already been completed. The missile is currently integrated on all major U.S. surface combatants, as well as U.S. and U.K. sub-surface platforms, such as the Los Angeles, Virginia, Ohio, Astute, and Trafalgar class submarines.
