Tomahawk's moving target capability tested
Raytheon and the US Navy have successfully tested the moving target capability of the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile, the company announced on 11 February.
Two flight tests were conducted on 27 and 28 January. In the first test, the Tomahawk was fired and synthetically guided to hit a mobile ship target. In the second test, a second Tomahawk was fired on a call-for-fire mission to demonstrate its reduced mission planning time.
For the first test, the missile was fired from the destroyer USS Kidd with a pre-planned mission. A surveillance aircraft then sent real-time target information to the Joint Network Enabled Weapons Mission Management Capability (JNEW-MMC) at the weapons division of the naval air warfare centre, China Lake.
The JNEW-MMC then sent the updated target information to the missile before it struck the target. This demonstration is the first step in evolving the Tomahawk missile with improved network capability and extending its reach to moving targets.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations]()
US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations
The NEREUS project aims to enhance and expand the US Navy’s existing communications systems, enabling crewed/uncrewed seabed and subsurface missions.
-
![How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities]()
How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
![European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026]()
European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.
