TOMAHAWK  CRUISE MISSILE

HISTORY

In November 1972, when interest was already evident in an extended-range version of the Harpoon, the decision was taken to develop a tactical anti-ship version of the strategic Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM). For the SLCM programme two competitive designs were funded, the General Dynamics ZBGM-109 and the LTV ZBGM-110, both suitable for torpedo tube launching. After a fly-off the BGM109 Tomahawk was chosen in 1977 for full-scale engineering development. The tactical BGM-109B variant is similar in appearance to the strategic BGM-109A but is fitted with the conventional 454-kg (1,000-lb) warhead of the AGM-12C Bullpup B and the active-radar terminal seeker system of the Harpoon. An inertial guidance unit is also fitted for control of the cruise phase by means of the cruciform rear fins, and the missile adopts the same pop-up and dive manoeuvre used by the Harpoon Block 1A missiles. The missile can be fired from surface ships or from submarines, and, after solid propellant boost, cruises on a Teledyne turbojet. In the latter case the units of the 'Los Angeles' class of nuclear-powered attack submarines are to be fitted with a set of 12 vertical launch tubes in the space between the forward bow sonar sphere and the main pressure hull in order to conserve internal weapon space for ASW weapons. On surface ships Tomahawks will be carried in four-round armoured box launchers, or in the new vertical-launch system under development. The BGM-109B became operational aboard submarines late in 1982, whilst the first surface ships to be equipped will be operational in 1984. In order to make full use of the Tomahawk's over-the-horizon capabilities a long-range target-detection programme called 'Outlaw Shark' has been implemented to develop the techniques required.

A conventional land-attack version, the BGM-109C, was also developed for the US Navy, whilst two air-launched versions of a slightly modified and updated Tomahawk II model are under development for use against ship and other targets. These versions have the designations BGM-109I and BGM109K, the former having inertial guidance with a combination of DSMAC II (Digital Scene-Matching Area Correlation Mk II) and imaging infra-red terminal homing, and the latter inertial guidance with imaging infra-red terminal homing.

Specification General Dynamics BGM-109 Tomahawk

Dimensions: length 6.40 m (21 ft 0 in) for BGM-109B, 4.88 m ( 16 ft 0 in) for BGM-109I and 5 94 m ( 19 ft 6 in) for BGM-109K; diameter 53.3 cm (21 in); span 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in) for BGM-109B and 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in) for BGM-1091 and BGM-109K

Weights: total round 1200 kg (2,645 lb) for BGM-109B, 1009 kg (2,225 lb) for BGM-1091 and 1193 kg (2,630 lb) for BGM-109K; warhead 454 kg ( 1, 000 lb) for BGM-109B, 295 kg (650 lb) for BGM-1091 and 425 kg (93'1 lb) for BGM-109K

Performance: maximum speed Mach O.7 range 350 km (217 miles) for BGM109B, 560 km (348 miles) for BGM-109I and 510 km (317 miles) for BGM-109K