MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (062/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 4
April 2008
The latest version
of the Royal Navy's Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) has
been declared operational - three months earlier than planned.
Used to arm submarines, the new Tomahawk Block IV missile is
considerably more capable than its predecessors. It has a
significantly reduced response time and can fly further, striking
land targets from the sea up to one thousand miles away with even
greater precision. They are able to re-target or safely abort in
flight and can relay images en route. The missile was first
successfully test fired from a Royal Navy submarine last June.
Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment & Support, said
"These missiles extend the Royal Navy's world class
capability to deliver long range precision attacks covertly from
submarines. This is a real boost to the Navy's firepower, and
it is a testament to the hard work of MoD and industry that we are
able to bring this into service early and within budget."
The Tomahawk missiles can be carried by Trafalgar Class attack
submarines and will be deployed in the new Astute Class when they
enter service. HMS Torbay is the first submarine to be
operationally equipped with them.
Notes to Editors
1. The MoD purchased 64 of the TLAM Block IV missiles from the
United States in a £70M deal signed four years ago. In addition,
£25M has been spent to provide the submarine and ashore command
and control systems necessary to exploit its new capabilities.
2. TLAM is built in the US by Raytheon. Its plant at Glenrothes,
Fife, manufactures some of the electronics. In addition, part of
the upgrade work to enable the submarine fleet to carry the
updated missiles has been carried out by BAE Systems and Ultra
Electronics in the UK.