The U.S. Navy’s Tomahawk Baseline IV (Tactical Tomahawk) Cruise Missile Weapon System, received approval to enter formal government operational evaluation (OPEVAL) this month, under the direction of Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force. OPEVAL will consist of a combination of actual missile flight tests and a series of complete end-to-end weapon system implementation simulations. The flight test launches, from both surface and submarine platforms, will be conducted from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) western test range complex in southern Calif.

Tactical Tomahawk began flight-testing in the summer of 2002. The program is ‘eight for eight’ with a string of successful flight-test events. Specifically:
-August 2002, first flight, from a ground test stand
-November 2002, flight from a fixed underwater launcher
-March 2003, penetration flight test as part of a technology demonstration
-April 2003, first launch from a surface ship (USS STETHEM (DDG-63))
-May 2003, first live warhead test (USS STETHEM (DDG-63))
-May 2003, second penetration flight test, concluding the technology demonstration
-July 2003, first launch from a submarine (USS TUCSON (SSN-770))
-July 2003, first live warhead test from a submarine (USS TUCSON (SSN-770))
The final submarine test launch marked the end of government technical flight test evaluation. The government technical evaluation verified that the Tomahawk Baseline IV weapon system’s performance met all operational requirements and successfully demonstrated the new system capabilities to include launch platform mission planning, reduced mission planning timelines, in-flight communications allowing real-time missile retargeting, and increased weapon system accuracy.

The Tomahawk Baseline IV Weapon System OPEVAL is scheduled to complete in early 2004 supporting a missile full-rate production decision in the spring of 2004.

Tactical Tomahawk is the latest variant of the Navy’s premiere cruise missile, on schedule to reach the fleet in the Spring of 2004. The Tomahawk is ship and submarine launched, and was first employed operationally during Desert Storm. Since then, the missile has been heralded for its accuracy and lethality. The enhanced capabilities of Tactical Tomahawk will increase fleet effectiveness, while significantly reducing acquisition and life cycle costs.

The Tomahawk program is managed by the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO(W)) co-located at the NAVAIR complex in Patuxent River, Maryland. The missile is manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. Tomahawk is a registered trademark of the United States Navy.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch and recovery; from sensor data to precision targeting and real-time communications; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment and sustainment; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.