BGM-109 Tomahawk Missile

Full Specifications

BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missile

The BGM-109 Tomahawk is a long-range, all-weather subsonic cruise missile that has served as a cornerstone of U.S. Navy precision-strike capability since the early 1980s. Designed for standoff attacks against fixed and, in later variants, moving targets, it enables surface ships and submarines to engage land and maritime objectives without exposing crews to high-threat environments.

Overview/Introduction

Originally developed for both nuclear and conventional roles, the Tomahawk entered service in 1983. Nuclear-armed versions were later retired, leaving today’s inventory focused on conventional land-attack and maritime-strike missions. The missile flies at low altitude, using terrain masking to reduce detectability. It has been employed extensively in combat operations beginning with the 1991 Gulf War and continuing through later conflicts, demonstrating high reliability in real-world use.

Manufacturer

The Tomahawk was initially produced by General Dynamics. Production later transferred through McDonnell Douglas and Hughes before Raytheon (now RTX) became the sole manufacturer. Current Block V production and recertification programs are managed by Raytheon under U.S. Navy contracts.

Speed and Range

The missile is powered by a solid-fuel booster for launch followed by a Williams International turbofan engine for cruise. It sustains subsonic speeds of approximately Mach 0.74 (about 550–570 mph or 880–920 km/h). Operational range for current conventional Block IV and Block V variants is typically listed near 900 nautical miles (approximately 1,600–1,700 km), varying by warhead configuration, flight profile, and launch platform. Earlier nuclear variants reached farther distances before retirement.

Cost/Price

Unit cost for recent Block V production has been reported in the range of roughly $1.9–2.5 million per missile in U.S. procurement data, with higher all-in figures for export packages that include support, training, and integration. Actual prices fluctuate with quantity, fiscal year, and contract terms.

Guidance combines inertial navigation, GPS, Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM), and Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC). Later blocks add two-way satellite datalink for in-flight retargeting and loitering. Launch platforms include vertical launch systems on surface ships and torpedo tubes or vertical launch systems on submarines. The system remains in active service with the United States and selected allied operators.