UK declares Tomahawk Block IV LACM operational
The latest version of the Royal Navy’s Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) has been declared operational - three months earlier than planned.
Used to arm submarines, the new Tomahawk Block IV missile is considerably more capable than its predecessors. It has a significantly reduced response time and can fly further, striking land targets from the sea up to one thousand miles (1,609km) away with even greater precision. They are able to re-target or safely abort in flight and can relay images en route to boost intelligence gathering. The missile was first successfully test fired from a Royal Navy submarine in June 2007.
The Tomahawk missiles can be carried by Trafalgar Class attack submarines and will be deployed in the new Astute Class when they enter service. HMS Torbay is the first submarine to be operationally equipped with them.
The MOD purchased 64 of the TLAM Block IV missiles from the United States in a £70M deal signed four years ago. In addition, £25M has been spent to provide the submarine and ashore command and control systems necessary to exploit its new capabilities.
Tomahawk Block IV missiles are built by Raytheon in the US, with missile electronics supplied by its subsidiary in Glenrothes, Fife. BAE Systems and Ultra Electronics in Middlesex have also played a key role in electronics and other aspects of the submarine upgrade to enable launch of the new missile.