Australia has recently finalized an agreement with the United States to purchase more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The Tomahawk is a long-range cruise missile used for precision land attack missions. It can be launched from submarines or ships, delivering its warhead with accuracy over a significant distance.
Employed primarily by the U.S. and UK navies, the Tomahawk operates at subsonic speeds and low altitudes to evade radar detection. With a remarkable accuracy of about 5 meters, it boasts a range of up to 2,400 km and can reach speeds of 885 km/h. Propelled by a combination of solid propellant and a stealthy turbofan engine, the missile can carry conventional or nuclear payloads.
What to study for prelims?
- Cruise Missile: A cruise missile is a guided missile that travels at low altitudes over long distances, designed for precise targeting of ground-based objectives.
- Subsonic Speed: Subsonic speed refers to speeds below the speed of sound. Cruise missiles like the Tomahawk typically travel at these speeds to minimize noise and improve stealth.
- Turbofan Engine: A turbofan engine is a type of jet engine commonly used in aircraft and missiles. It consists of a fan that provides both thrust and additional propulsion through a ducted fan.
- Infrared Detection: Infrared detection refers to the identification of objects based on their heat emissions. The Tomahawk’s low heat emissions make it difficult to detect using infrared sensors.
- Conventional and Nuclear Payloads: The Tomahawk missile is versatile and can be armed with various types of warheads. These include conventional explosives for standard targets and nuclear warheads for strategic applications.