What is a Tomahawk Missile?

About Tomahawk Missile

 

• It is a US-made long-range cruise missile used for deep land attack warfare.
• It can be launched from a ship or submarine and can deliver its warhead precisely to a target at a long range.
• It is used primarily by the U.S. and United Kingdom navies.

 

Features of Tomahawk Missile

• It is designed to fly at subsonic speed while maintaining a low altitude, making it difficult to detect on radar.
• It uses tailored guidance systems to maneuver while at such low elevations.
• It has an accuracy of about 5 meters (16 feet).
• The 6-meter (18.4-foot-) long missile has a range of up to 2,400 km (1,500 miles) and can travel as fast as 885 km (550 miles) per hour.
• Propulsion: It is powered by a solid propellant during its launch phase. Thereafter it is powered by a turbofan engine that does not emit much heat, which makes infrared detection difficult.
• It is capable of twisting and turning like a radar-evading fighter plane.
• It can carry either conventional or nuclear payloads.

 

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Q1) What is a Cruise Missile?

A cruise missile is a guided, self-propelled, precision-guided munition that is designed to deliver a payload, such as explosives or other warheads, to a specific target with high accuracy. Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a high trajectory and use gravity to descend upon their target, cruise missiles are low-flying, maneuverable, and powered throughout their flight.

Source: Australia to buy US Tomahawk missiles to boost long range strike capability