Raytheon will supply Tomahawk Block IV all-up-round vertical launch system missiles for the US Department of Defense under a contract modification announced on 27 April.
The company will provide100 Lot 15 Tomahawk Block IV missiles, with delivery expected to be complete by August 2020.
The Tomahawk missile is a highly accurate, GPS-enabled precision weapon. It can be launched from a ship or submarine to strike heavily defended targets at ranges of more than 1,000 miles with minimal collateral damage.
The Tomahawk Block IV is the latest variant of the missile. It includes a two-way satellite data-link that enables the missile to be retargeted in flight to pre-programmed, alternate targets.
Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.
The US Navy’s acceleration of its laser weapon development initiatives reflects a decisive shift towards ultimately having a “laser on every ship” across tomorrow’s surface fleet.
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
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