The U.S. Navy recently awarded the third low rate initial production contract for Tomahawk Block IV all-up-round missiles to Raytheon Systems Company, Tucson, Ariz. The $176 million undefinitized contract action will obligate over $87 million at this time and will procure approximately 225 missiles.

The procurement of material for this contract will be combined or simultaneous with the procurement under the upcoming full rate production contract. This will ensure a lower cost for material and deliver the best value to the Fleet as early as possible. This approach also provides approximately 40 additional missiles when compared to a stand-alone buy, and provides the maximum number of missiles to replenish depleted inventory.

The first two low rate contracts were awarded in October 2002 and January 2003 for a combined total of 192 missiles. All delivered missiles are covered by a groundbreaking 15-year warranty.

The Tomahawk Block IV is the latest variant of the Navy’s premiere cruise missile, due to reach the fleet this summer. System enhancements include launch platform mission planning, reduced mission planning timelines, in-flight communications allowing real-time missile retargeting, and increased weapon system accuracy.

The system completed technical evaluation flight-tests in December of 2003, with an unprecedented ‘eight for eight’ successful test events. Operational evaluation flight-tests, conducted by the Operational, Test and Evaluation Force, were completed in February 2004. The Navy expects the final report in June.

The Tomahawk missile 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 Tomahawk program is managed by the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation, a member of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) team. Tomahawk is a registered trademark of the U.S. Navy. For more information about the Tomahawk cruise missile, log on to www.strikenet.js.mil, and click on PMA-280.