Article Posted on : - Nov 05, 2010

The Tomahawk

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (BNS): The composite capsule launch system (CCLS) for the Tomahawk missile will be produced by General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products under a $9.8 million contract.

The CCLS structure is used for the vertically launched, submarine-based Tomahawk missile, the US Navy’s premier long-range, subsonic cruise missile for land attack warfare.

General Dynamics will begin work this month and plans the first deliveries by May 2011. Production and program management will be performed at General Dynamics’ advanced materials Lincoln facility.

The US Navy is the only current Tomahawk user. Tomahawk Block IV (TLAM-E) is the latest improvement to the Tomahawk missile family.

The cruise missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds. The first operational use was in Operation Desert Storm, 1991.