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Raytheon adds moving-target capability to Tomahawk

8th October 2013 - 16:49 GMT | by Shephard News Team

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An advanced Electronic Support Measure (ESM) seeker for the Block IV Tomahawk missile has completed a successful field trial, as part of Raytheon’s programme to improve the missile’s technical and operational capabilities.

The ESM seeker incorporates an advanced processor and antenna to locate and track moving and fixed emitting targets. The seeker's capability was validated in a realistic high-density environment after seven months of testing in anechoic chambers.

Roy Donelson, Tomahawk program director, Raytheon Missile Systems, said: ‘This new moving target capability would enhance Tomahawk's already exceptional land attack mode capability by allowing it to engage moving targets on land. We believe this evolution would align with DOD's vision of increasing capability while maintaining development costs.'

The Tomahawk missile is designed to fly into heavily defended airspace and precisely strike high-value targets with minimal collateral damage.

Enhancements included in the Tomahawk Block IV missile include a two-way satellite data-link that enables a strike controller to redirect the missile in-flight to pre-programmed alternate targets or more critical targets. Adding a new multi-mode seeker technology would allow the navy's Surface Action Group to fire Tomahawks from sanctuary and defeat mobile threats at long range.

‘Raytheon is providing the US Navy with a missile that can evolve its capability. Tomahawk is an open architecture 'truck' capable of integrating payloads and sensors that have high technology readiness levels,’ Donelson added.