The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a firm order multi-year contract worth
approximately $1.6 billion for the full rate production of up to 2,200 Tomahawk
Block IV tactical cruise missiles. The US Navy (2,135) and the Royal Navy (65)
will use these missiles for land attack missions.
The missiles will be delivered between fiscal year 2004 and fiscal year 2008.
Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by
June 2011. The US Navy allocates $1.56 billion and the United Kingdom will
provide $47 million under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Raytheon
will receive $287 million in fiscal year 2004 with more procurement orders
placed over the next five years totaling up to $1.6 billion. The US Navy aims to
replenish its Tomahawk inventory, nowadays comprising legacy Tomahawk Block III
missiles, with the advanced and inexpensive Tactical Tomahawk.
The $287 million FY2004 order will be completed in December 2006. The first
Tactical Tomahawk low rate production missiles were delivered to the Navy in May
2004. Each Block IV missile costs approximately a half of legacy Block III
missile. The Navy total procurement of Tactical Tomahawk could be as high as
2,790 units.
The Tomahawk Block IV or Tactical Tomahawk introduces flex-targeting (via a
two-way satellite data link) and loitering attack capabilities to the long
range, precision strike Tomahawk land attack missile. Moreover, the Tomahawk
Block IV missile will have a 15-year recertification cycle, compared to Block
III variant's eight-year recertification cycle.
The Block IV missile also introduces GPS-based only guidance, real-time missile
health and status, and battle damage assessment via satellite data link
capabilities. An improved anti-jam GPS receiver has been provided to the
Tactical Tomahawk as well.
Source:
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