TOMAHAWK

Abstract

The Tomahawk Weapons System (TWS) provides a Tomahawk cruise missile attack capability against targets on land (Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM)). This program ensures that the TWS exploits state-of-the-art technology to preserve the efficiency of this proven weapon system, and includes all missile development, mission planning system development, and submarine and surface ship weapons control system development. The Tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM) All-Up-Round (AUR) Block IV missile is a comprehensive spiral baseline upgrade to the TWS that provides the tactical commander a quick reaction response capability as well as improved flexibility, increased accuracy and higher lethality. A five-year multi-year (FY04-FY08) production contract was awarded in August 2004 for the production of up to 2200 Block IV Tomahawk missiles. The essential upgrades of the Block IV missile are: improved guidance, navigation, control and mission computer two-way satellite communications (SATCOM), and a lower production cost as compared to the Block III missile. Block IV provides a UHF SATCOM data link to enable the missile to receive in-flight mission modification messages, to transfer health and status messages and to broadcast Battle Damage Indication messages. Block IV also includes a high anti-jam Global Postitioning System (GPS) receiver, navigation improvements and associated antenna systems. The Tomahawk Program also includes development of Torpedo Tube Launch capability for submarines and the continuing advances identified as spiral development under the Tomahawk Baseline IV Operational Requirements Document, to include development of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed incorporation of Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) capability and the Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System/Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JMEWS/JCTD). Under the umbrella of the Theater Mission Planning Center (TMPC), the Tomahawk Command and Control System is the mission planning segment of the Tomahawk Weapon System that provides systems for the precision targeting, route planning, mission distribution, and strike management of Tomahawk cruise missile missions from sites located ashore and afloat. TMPC optimizes all aspects of the Tomahawk missile mission to successfully engage a target and has evolved into five scalable configurations: Cruise Missile Support Activities (CMSA) (2), Tomahawk Strike Mission Planning Cells (TSMPC) (3), Carriers (CVNs) (11), Firing Units (81), Command & Control Nodes (11), Labs (6), & Training Classrooms (6), for a total of 125 sites. A smaller TC2S version is being fielded on CVNs to support deployed Strike Group Commanders. Systems fielded at the CMSAs and TSMPCs provide mission planning and employment support information for conventional TLAM, including the distribution of mission data and command information essential to TLAM employment via the Mission Distribution System and associated communications infrastructure (CMSAs are the only organizations that can support Tomahawk Land Attack Missile/Nuclear(TLAM/N). Development of Tactical Tomahawk capabilities in TMPC/TC2S includes software development, integration, test, and delivery, including support for training development, installation planning, and simulation/model development required by Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force. This project also includes development related to national and tactical imagery architectures, as well as software development to decrease mission-planning time and increase the quality and accuracy of each mission for Block III and IV TLAM. The Tomahawk Weapons Control System provides launch capability for surface and submarine platforms. Development of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) provides a common architecture to launch the Tactical Tomahawk Block IV and all variants in inventory. Development of upgrades to the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System is required to meet the DoD IT Standards Registry, to meet FORCEnet compliance and be Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) ready in order to remain interoperable within the Joint Service Architecture and to retain weapons system viability and usability for our Sailors. These efforts provide battle-group tactical flexibility and responsiveness while maximizing TWS wartime capability.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 0545_0204229N_7_1319_PB_2012

Tags

Readers

• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Satellites