The TOMAHAWK Cruise Missile system is set to achieve full operational capability with the Royal Navy after a successful test launch at 8:30 a.m., U.S. Central Daylight Time, August 7 from the attack submarine HMS TRAFALGAR in the Gulf of Mexico. This provides the UK with a third TOMAHAWK fitted submarine at the date originally planned and its success significantly enhances the Royal Navy's ability to deploy a continuous TOMAHAWK capability worldwide.

The missile was flown to a target using the satellite Global Positioning System and Digital Mapping Navigation Techniques over a pre-planned route to the test range at the US Air Force Base, Eglin in western Florida. It then made a simulated aerial detonation close above its target, before being recovered safely by parachute. All Mission Planning and Targeting data for the test flight was provided to HMS TRAFALGAR via satellite communications from the Royal Navy's operational headquarters at Northwood, northwest London.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach said:
"I congratulate the Royal Navy and the TOMAHAWK Integrated Project Team on this successful test firing. TOMAHAWK has already proved its worth in action with the Royal Navy during the Kosovo campaign in 1999. It will now achieve Fleet Weapon Acceptance at the end of this year, as originally planned when the project was approved in 1995. This means the full operational capability will have been delivered to the Royal Navy on time and within budget.

"The test has also set a number of notable firsts," Lord Bach continued. "It is the first firing from a submarine fitted with the new Submarine Command System, which will be widely fitted to all Royal Navy submarines. It is also the first use of a joint US/UK version of the Advanced TOMAHAWK Weapon Control System software, which promotes commonality and interoperability between the Royal Navy and US Navy."

This missile firing was the fourth TOMAHAWK missile operational flight test by the Royal Navy over US test ranges, the previous three being conducted in November 1998. Operational testing of TOMAHAWK ensures the high reliability of the weapon system and gives realistic training to Royal Navy submarine crews.

7 August 01 -- ROYAL NAVY TOMAHAWK ACHIEVES FULL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY

Royal Navy TOMAHAWK missiles are deployed in both SWIFTSURE and TRAFALGAR class nuclear powered attack submarines and will be fitted to the ASTUTE class when they enter service in 2005

As in all TOMAHAWK flight tests over U.S. ranges, air safety was carefully planned in coordination with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). All Mission Planning and Targeting data for the test flight was provided to HMS TRAFALGAR via satellite communications from the Royal Navy's operational headquarters at Northwood, north west London.

The heart of the TOMAHAWK System in HMS TRAFALGAR is the Advanced TOMAHAWK Weapon Control System (ATWCS). This equipment and other supporting sub-systems were installed as part of a Capability Update in HM Dockyard, Devonport. This activity was led by Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems (LMNESS) who worked closely with the yard's contract managers, Devonport Management Limited (DML) to ensure that the installation went smoothly and to time. Working under contract to LMNESS, BAE Systems based in Barrow in Furness undertook the ATWCS equipment assembly and installation in HMS TRAFALGAR while Strachan and Henshaw modified the submarine's weapon handling and discharge system for TOMAHAWK.

The common US/UK build of software was developed and tested at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre, Dahlgren Division in the USA before being integrated with the UK Submarine Tactical Weapon System by LMNESS and another UK Contractor, Ultra Electronics Command and Control Systems (UECCS) in Loudwater. A phased approach to system level testing was adopted to reduce risk. Initially, the software was integrated with the Submarine Command System (SMCS) at the UK TOMAHAWK Shore Test and Integration Facility (STIF) at UECCS. This confirmed that all weapon management controls functioned correctly and was followed by a further set of tests at the S & T Class Submarine Shore Integration and Development Facility (SIDFAC) at Camberley, Surrey.

The software was then installed on HMS TRAFALGAR and subjected to a rigorous set of formal trials by the Maritime and Commissioning Trials and Assessment (MCTA) organisation, both alongside in Devonport Dockyard and under operational conditions at sea. This was to confirm that all aspects of the TOMAHAWK Weapon System, including communications with shore support facilities, functioned correctly before the Submarine sailed to the US Test Range to complete the last phase of testing. Technical research was conducted by the UK Defence Scientific Test Laboratories (DSTL) whilst technical assistance was provided by Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems.

Initial training on the new system for HMS TRAFALGAR's crew was conducted by a US Contractor, SCCI, who also undertake this activity for the American Fleet. The crew also had to go through a formal certification process to confirm their readiness to undertake operational duties with TOMAHAWK missiles and this was completed in June on board the submarine in her home base at Devonport.