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March 4, 2014

Raytheon, U.S. Navy test Tomahawk Block IV’s latest communications upgrades on board USS Sterett

Tomahawk missiles loitering capability was tested after the latest communications upgrades.

With a range of approximately 1,000 statute miles, the Tomahawk Block IV missile is a surface- and submarine-launched precision strike stand-off weapon. Tomahawk is designed for long-range precision strike missions against high-value and heavily defended targets. More than 2,000 Tomahawks have been employed in combat. More than 500 Tomahawk flight and production validation tests have been completed. The missile is integrated on all major U.S. surface combatants, as well as U.S. and U.K. sub-surface platforms, including the Los Angeles, Virginia, Ohio, Astute and Trafalgar class submarines.

Raytheon Company and the U.S. Navy have successfully tested communications advancements to the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile. During a February 2014 flight test, a Raytheon-built Tomahawk Block IV missile, launched from the USS Sterett, flew a preprogrammed route while receiving updates from a simulated maritime operations center and from advanced off-board sensors updating the missile’s target location.

Throughout the flight, the missile maintained communications with all the command and control assets and provided updates on its location before hitting the target.