The captive flight test, using a modified Tomahawk Block IV missile nose cone, will be designed to demonstrate the processor's ability to broadcast active radar as well as passively receive target electromagnetic radiation, which was demonstrated in February 2014. This is a critical step in enabling the missile to strike moving targets on land and at sea.
“Completion of this test and last year's passive seeker test will demonstrate that Tomahawk can hit moving targets on land and at sea. Raytheon is working to quickly and affordably modernize this already advanced weapon for naval warfighters,” said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems Vice President.
During the test, planned for the second quarter of 2015, the nosecone of a Tomahawk Block IV missile will be equipped with active and passive radio frequency antennas integrated with Raytheon's new modular, multi-mode processor and fitted to a T-39 aircraft. Flying at high subsonic speed and at varying altitudes, the aircraft will simulate a Tomahawk flight regime.
The multi-mode seeker and multi-function processor will operate the active radar against fixed and mobile targets on land and at sea, in a complex, high density electromagnetic environments.
With a range of approximately 1,000 statute miles, the Tomahawk Block IV missile is a surface- and submarine-launched precision strike stand-off weapon. Tomahawk is designed for long-range precision strike missions against high-value and heavily defended targets. More than 2,000 Tomahawks have been employed in combat.
More than 500 Tomahawk flight and production validation tests have been completed. The missile is integrated on all major U.S. surface combatants, as well as U.S. and U.K. sub-surface platforms, including the Los Angeles, Virginia, Ohio, Astute and Trafalgar class submarines.
