Defense manufacturing giant Raytheon Co. has received a $25,2 million modification to a previously awarded contract for procurement of Tomahawk cruise missile spares.
According to Pentagon, this modification provides for the procurement of Tomahawk Block IV All-Up-Round spares to support the recertification of Tomahawk Missiles.
Also added that work is expected to be completed in October 2020.
The Tomahawk missile can be launched from a ship or submarine and can fly into heavily defended airspace more than 1,000 miles away to conduct precise strikes on high-value targets with minimal collateral damage. Launching the weapon from such a long distance helps to keep sailors out of harm’s way.
According to Raytheon, today’s Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile can loiter for hours and shift course instantly on command before striking with pinpoint accuracy.
The latest Block IV variant includes a two-way satellite data-link that enables the missile to be retargeted in flight to preprogrammed, alternate targets. The new design has a 30-year lifespan and requires little to no maintenance.
Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are now enhancing this already sophisticated weapon with upgraded communications, a more powerful warhead and a new seeker that will hit moving targets at sea, in darkness and all kinds of weather.