Navy Welcomes New Ordnance To The Fleet

The US Navy Wednesday welcomed Raytheon Company's Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile into its arsenal at a fleet introduction ceremony in the Pentagon. The Block IV officially achieved initial operating capability (IOC) on May 27, 2004, with the loading of the first missile onboard USS Stethem (DDG-63), a guided missile destroyer.

"The Block IV Tomahawk provides a substantial battlefield edge to our warfighters," said Navy Capt. Bob Novak, Tomahawk All-Up-Round program manager. "It is a great day for the Navy to formally celebrate the hard work of the Navy-Raytheon team that enabled the fleet introduction of this revolutionary weapon, whose flexible targeting and loitering capabilities build on the tremendous 32-year tradition and success of the legacy Tomahawk program."

"Raytheon is proud to provide the Navy with this new weapon with expanded warfighting capabilities that position weapons as nodes in the integrated network of the future battlespace," said Louise L. Francesconi, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "The Block IV Tomahawk is the result of the collective commitment of the Navy and Raytheon to provide affordable, operational capabilities for critical long-range, precision strike missions."

Block IV Tomahawk is the centerpiece of the Navy's new Tomahawk Baseline IV Weapons System. The system integrates the Block IV missile with improved mission planning and platform weapons control capabilities. This latest version of the Navy's surface- and submarine-launched precision strike standoff weapon incorporates innovative technologies to provide unprecedented operational capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition, operations and support costs. The Block IV costs less than half the price of a newly built Block III missile. Additionally, the Block IV missile will have a 15-year warranty and recertification cycle, compared to the Block III variant's eight-year recertification cycle.

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. For the first time, firing platforms will have the capability to plan and execute Global Positioning System-only missions. Block IV will also introduce an improved anti-jam GPS receiver for enhanced mission performance.

The Navy and Raytheon have entered into a five-year multi-year procurement contract to replenish Tomahawk inventory at the most affordable cost. The Tomahawk missile is the Navy's weapon of choice for critical, long-range precision strike missions against high value, heavily defended targets.

FMI: www.raytheon.com