The Tomahawk missile emerges from HMAS Brisbane’s VLS during launch. Photo: ADF.
The Royal Australian Navy has successfully conducted a test firing of its third new missile system this year, with the launch of a Tomahawk cruise missile off the coast of California.
The BGM-109E Block IV/V Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) was launched from the Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Brisbane off San Diego on Sunday local time, and successfully impacted its simulated target on one of the US Navy’s Channel Island ranges several hundred kilometres north.
The launch marks the third successful test of a new missile for the RAN this year, following July’s first shoot of a Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) during the multinational RIMPAC exercise off Hawaii and August’s test firing of a RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM), more commonly called the SM-6.
The three missiles have different missions – the NSM is an advanced anti-ship weapon, the SM-6 is a long-range air defence missile capable of shooting down ballistic missile targets, and the Tomahawk is a long-range land attack cruise missile.
The Tomahawk has a range of up to 2500 km and is launched from the Mk41 vertical launch system used by the three Hobart-class destroyers and the six forthcoming Hunter-class frigates. They can also be launched from underwater from Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines.
The missile weighs 1600 kilograms with its rocket booster, is 6.25 metres long and can precisely deliver a 450 kg high-explosive warhead to a fixed target.
It flies a pre-programmed course to its target at a low level, using fold-out wings and a small jet engine, before popping up to dive on the target in the terminal phase of flight. Typical targets include buildings, aircraft hangars, port facilities or critical infrastructure.
At 6.25 m long, the Tomahawk is a large missile. Photo: ADF
The missile has been developed over the past 30 years with new warheads, seekers and guidance systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, to make it more resistant to jamming and air defences. The only other nations to operate the Tomahawk are the US and UK.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the enhanced lethality of the navy’s surface combatant fleet was vital to ensuring the ADF was equipped to meet the strategic circumstances.
“The successful test firing of the Tomahawk missile demonstrates the strength of our alliance and defence cooperation with the United States, in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” he said.
“By enhancing our own Defence capabilities, and by working with partners, we change the calculus for any potential aggressor so that no state will ever conclude the benefits of conflict outweigh the risks.”
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy described the Tomahawk as the jewel in the crown and a step change in Australia’s firepower, deterrence and ability to strike land-based targets at ranges never before available.
“The acquisition of Tomahawks, along with Naval Strike Missile and Standard Missile 6, is a game-changer for our ADF and comes years ahead of what was previously planned,” he said.
“This is about keeping Australians safe.
“But in conjunction with our other investments in long-range strike, as well as the decision to manufacture NSM in Australia, it’s also about delivering more jobs and a safer future made in Australia.”
At this stage, the RAN has about 220 Tomahawk missiles on order.
The Tomahawk set to strike its target on California’s Channel Islands. Photo: ADF via US Navy.
