A Missile That Changed Naval Warfare
For more than 40 years, the Tomahawk cruise missile has been the Navy’s go to precision strike weapon; a long-range, subsonic missile that can hit targets hundreds of miles inland without risking pilots or ships. It’s a system that has quietly reshaped how the U.S. projects power from the sea.
The Tomahawk’s legacy began in the 1970s, when the Navy wanted a weapon that could fly low, evade radar, and deliver pinpoint strikes. What started as an experimental project from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab became one of the most reliable and adaptable systems in U.S. history.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 7, 2017) The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) conducts strike operations while in the Mediterranean Sea. Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ford Williams/Released)
Inside the Technology
Every Tomahawk is a compact mix of aviation and computing engineering, part aircraft, part robot, part precision instrument.
How it works:
- Propulsion: A small turbofan engine powers sustained subsonic flight (~550 mph).
- Navigation: Uses a hybrid of GPS, inertial navigation (INS), terrain contour matching (TERCOM), and digital scene matching (DSMAC).
- Targeting: Later models include a two-way datalink so operators can reprogram or abort in flight.
- Payload: Unitary warhead for precision land attack; modular design allows different payloads as needed.
This flexibility means Tomahawks can fly pre-planned routes, skim terrain to stay undetected, and hit with high accuracy even when GPS signals are jammed.
From Block I to Block V — The Constant Upgrade
The Navy didn’t just build a missile; it built a platform meant to evolve.
- Block I–III (1980s-1990s): Introduced GPS and terrain-matching guidance.
- Block IV (2004): Added satellite datalink, loiter mode, and mid-flight re-targeting.
- Block V (2021–present): Adds extended range, hardened electronics, improved maritime strike capability, and open-architecture software for future payloads.
Each upgrade has been about software, sensors, and smarter flight control, not just new warheads.
“The Tomahawk remains one of the most adaptable precision weapons in the world,” said a Raytheon Missiles & Defense spokesperson. “Its modular design means we can integrate new capabilities without changing its core platform.”
What Comes After Tomahawk?
The Pentagon isn’t replacing the Tomahawk — it’s building a family of strike options around it.
- Block V modernization will keep the Tomahawk fleet operational well into the 2030s.
- LRASM (Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile) adds stealth and autonomy for ship-to-ship strikes.
- NSM (Naval Strike Missile) gives smaller ships a lighter, agile anti-ship option.
- Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) pushes into the hypersonic era — Mach 5+ speed and global reach.
This layered approach means the U.S. will have multiple tools — from precision cruise missiles to hypersonic weapons — each optimized for different ranges, defenses, and environments.
A Closer Look
Why It Matters
Tomahawk isn’t just a missile; it’s a case study in how the U.S. maintains technological edge through continuous modernization. It shows that software and data integration can extend the life of a weapon system as much as new materials or engines. The same framework guiding Tomahawk upgrades is influencing how the Navy develops drones, hypersonics, and next-generation sensors.
What to Watch for Next
- Block V full-rate production: Deliveries continue through FY 2026.
- Hypersonic tests: The Navy and Army are testing shared glide-body designs under CPS and LRHW.
- Procurement policy: Congress is monitoring stockpile levels and industrial base readiness.
Sources: U.S. Navy, Raytheon Missiles $ Defense, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon/Kongsberg, Congressional Research Service: Navy Precision Strike Weapons, 2024
