Tomahawk Cruise Missile

Full Specifications

Tomahawk Cruise Missile: Precision Strike Power for the U.S. Navy

The Tomahawk Cruise Missile is one of America’s most battle-tested and reliable long-range precision strike weapons. Developed by Raytheon Technologies (now RTX Corporation), the Tomahawk has been a key asset in U.S. and allied naval arsenals since the 1980s. Designed for deep-strike missions, it allows ships and submarines to attack high-value land and sea targets from hundreds of miles away—without exposing personnel to enemy defenses.

Design and Capabilities

The Tomahawk is a subsonic, jet-powered cruise missile capable of traveling over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) at a speed of roughly 550 mph (Mach 0.74). It uses a turbofan engine and can fly at terrain-hugging altitudes to evade radar detection. Equipped with GPS, inertial, and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) guidance systems, it delivers exceptional accuracy—typically within a few meters of its target.

Variants include the Block IV (TLAM-E) and the latest Tomahawk Block V, which features improved navigation, communication links, and a maritime strike capability against moving targets at sea. Each missile carries either a 450 kg unitary warhead or a submunition payload, depending on mission requirements.

Operational Use

Tomahawk missiles have been extensively used in conflicts such as the 1991 Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Syria strikes (2017–2018). Their proven reliability and precision make them the preferred option for long-range conventional deterrence. Launchable from Mk 41 Vertical Launch Systems on surface ships or torpedo tubes aboard submarines, the Tomahawk remains central to U.S. Navy strike doctrine.

Tomahawk Cruise Missile Price

The Tomahawk Cruise Missile is one of the most advanced and reliable long-range precision strike weapons in the U.S. arsenal—and its cost reflects its sophisticated technology. As of 2025, the Tomahawk Block V variant is estimated to cost around $1.87 million per unit, depending on configuration and production lot. Earlier versions, such as the Block IV, are priced slightly lower, averaging $1.5–$1.6 million per missile.

This price includes the missile’s advanced guidance systems, mission planning software, and satellite communication capabilities. While the Tomahawk’s unit cost is higher than shorter-range munitions, its 1,000-mile range, pinpoint accuracy, and multi-platform compatibility make it a cost-effective solution for long-range conventional strike missions. The U.S. Navy continues to invest in upgraded variants through Raytheon’s ongoing modernization program, ensuring the missile remains a core component of America’s naval strike and deterrence capability well into the 2030s.