 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Navy Posts Successful Test Of Raytheon Block IV Tomahawk Cruise Missile
Tucson AZ (SPX) Dec 15, 2006 A U.S. Navy Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile built by Raytheon Company was successfully launched Dec. 6 from USS Milius (DDG-69), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, on the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Sea Test Range off the coast of Southern California. After launch from the vertical launch system, the Tomahawk, equipped with an inert warhead, completed the launch sequence and transitioned to cruise flight. It flew a fully guided 869-mile course using global positioning satellite and digital scene matching area correlator navigation to a target site on the Naval Air Systems Command land range at China Lake, Calif. The test was the first Tomahawk Block IV launch from USS Milius. "Tomahawk Block IV provides our warfighters with the capabilities needed to successfully fight in the 21st century battle space," said Capt. Rick McQueen, the Navy's Tomahawk all-up-round program manager. "The successful test event shows that the Baseline IV Tomahawk Weapon System will maintain the legacy of weapon effectiveness that Tomahawk has demonstrated in every major conflict from Desert Storm through Operation Iraqi Freedom." "This successful test of a surface launched variant of Block IV Tomahawk adds another arrow to the quiver of our warfighters," said Harry Schulte, vice president, Raytheon Missile Systems Strike product line. "This success is a credit to the dedication and outstanding cooperation of the U.S. Navy/Raytheon Tomahawk team." A surface- and submarine-launched precision strike stand-off weapon, Tomahawk is the nation's weapon of choice for critical, long-range precision strike missions against high value, heavily defended targets. Block IV Tomahawk, which achieved fleet introduction in May 2004, incorporates innovative technologies to provide new operational capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition, operations and support costs. The new capabilities that Block IV Tomahawk brings to the Navy's sea strike capability are derived from the missile's two-way satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing battlefield conditions. The strike controller can "flex" the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield awaiting a more critical target. The missile can also transmit battle damage indication imagery and missile health and status messages via the satellite data link. Firing platforms, for the first time, will have the capability to plan and execute GPS-only missions. Block IV also has an improved anti-jam GPS receiver for enhanced mission performance. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Raytheon All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
LockMart-Built Trident II D5 Launched In Two-Missile US Navy Test
Cape Canaveral FL (SPX) Dec 08, 2006The U.S. Navy conducted a successful test launch Nov. 21 of two Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missiles (FBMs) built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT). The Navy launched the unarmed missiles from USS Maryland (SSBN 738) at the Eastern Range in the Atlantic Ocean. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
