AlmightyTallest -> RE: USN Uses Tomahawk Block IV as ASUW missile (2/10/2015 3:41:57 PM)
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http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20150114-tomahawk.html quote:
Sprinkle said the recertification process will allow the Navy to upgrade the missiles with a more robust anti-jam communications suite needed to be effective in an A2AD (anti-access area denial) environment, add a multimode passive/active radio frequency sensor for terminal guidance against moving targets and the Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System. Raytheon is developing the multimode sensor with internal funding to reduce developmental risk. The Navy is looking at adding an infrared capability to the sensor, Sprinkle said. Sprinkle noted that the TLAM, while equipped with the Global Positioning System (GPS), still retains the inertial navigation capability designed into earlier versions of the Tomahawk and can navigate accurately to a target in a GPS-denied scenario. These Tomahawks don't look like the old ones, seems some sort of signature reduction has been applied, particularly at the added lip at the nose section, and they can sea skim into the target or do terminal maneuvers and dives into the target. [image]http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WMUS_Tomahawk_IV_front_pic.jpg[/image] http://missilethreat.com/missiles/tomahawk-variants/ quote:
The TASM is the anti-ship variant equipped with an active radar seeker, rather than TERCOM. TASM (and other versions except the TLAM-N) carries a 454 kg warhead. Compared the TLAM-N, the range is significantly shorter at 460 km. The TASM was a very agile missile capable of various flight patterns. It could fly high altitude (up to 450 m) or low altitude trajectories; it could fly a ‘sea-skimming’ route; or a pop-up high-angle dive in the terminal phase. In 1994, all TASM missiles were removed from warships and later converted to Block IV versions. No reason to get rid of the TASM's 80's capabilites in the new Block IV it would seem. quote:
Increased range to 1,600 km. Improved high anti-jamming GPS system. An electro-optic sensor capable of damage assessment. Video below showing how it can be used says the missile has Millimeter wave radar and ESM equipment, interesting that the missiles seem to coordinate a simultaneous Tot on the target. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wluabEE1ls8 Things that stuck out to me in the video was the AESA (LPI?) radar seeker that can target specific parts of the ship, the missiles triangulation and communication with each other using an AT3 ESM suite and coordinate a multi access simultaneous arrival on the ship target. It gets even more interesting after that, seems like an impressive upgrade for such an old missile.
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