History of Tomahawk missile in Timeline

The BGM-109 Tomahawk is an American long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile. It is used by the US Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, and Royal Navy for ship and submarine-based land-attack operations. It is a significant component of naval strike capabilities, enabling precision attacks against land-based targets from a distance.

1983: Tomahawk Missile Tests

From 1983 to 1993, early tests of the Tomahawk missile took place. 23 cruise missiles were tested over northern Canada under the "Canada–U.S. Test and Evaluation Program" to simulate climate and terrain similar to that of the northern Soviet Union. The goal was to allow the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) to develop an anti-cruise capability.

1984: Tomahawk Block II Deployment

In 1984, the Tomahawk Block II was deployed and included improvements such as an improved booster rocket, cruise missile radar altimeter, and navigation through the Digital Scene Matching Area Corellator (DSMAC).

1987: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Compliance

In 1987, BGM-109G Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) and their truck-like launch vehicles were withdrawn from service at bases in Europe to comply with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

June 1991: INF Treaty Deadline

To comply with the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), all nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and missile launchers with ranges of 310 to 620 miles and 620 to 3,420 miles were dismantled or withdrawn from Europe by the treaty's deadline of 1 June 1991.

1992: McDonnell Douglas Sole Supplier

In 1992, McDonnell Douglas became the sole supplier of Tomahawks until 1994, producing Block II and Block III versions and remanufacturing many Tomahawks to Block III specifications.

1993: Block III TLAMs Enter Service

In 1993, the Block III TLAMs entered service, featuring new turbofan engines for longer range and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for increased precision. Block III TLAM-Cs retained the Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) II navigation system.

1993: Tomahawk Block III Introduction

In 1993, the Tomahawk Block III was introduced, adding time-of-arrival control, improved accuracy for DSMAC, jam-resistant GPS, a smaller, lighter WDU-36 warhead, engine improvements, and an extended missile range.

1994: Hughes Aircraft Becomes Sole Supplier

In 1994, Hughes Aircraft, having purchased General Dynamics' missile division in 1992, outbid McDonnell Douglas to become the sole supplier of Tomahawks.

1995: Hughes-Raytheon Joint Venture

From 1995 until 1997, a joint venture between Hughes and Raytheon manufactured the Tomahawk missile.

1995: US Agrees to Sell Tomahawk Missiles to the UK

In 1995, the United States agreed to sell 65 Tomahawk missiles to the United Kingdom for torpedo-launch from their nuclear attack submarines.

DEC 1997: TACTOM Program Initiated

In December 1997, the TACTOM program was initiated due to changed operational requirements from Fleet Commanders requesting a more flexible, responsive, and affordable missile, identified in Desert Storm, Bosnia, and Desert Fox.

1997: Raytheon Acquisition of Hughes

In 1997, Raytheon's acquisition of Hughes solidified their position as the sole supplier of the Tomahawk missile.

November 1998: UK Acquires and Test-Fires Tomahawk Missiles

In November 1998, the UK acquired and test-fired its first Tomahawk missiles after the 1995 agreement with the US; all Royal Navy fleet submarines are now Tomahawk capable, including the Astute-class.

1998: Pakistani Intelligence Recovers Tomahawk Missiles

In 1998, after a U.S. strike in Afghanistan, Pakistani intelligence recovered Tomahawk missiles, leading to the development of the Babur cruise missile by the National Defence Complex (NDC).

1999: HMS Splendid First British Submarine to Fire Tomahawk in Combat

In 1999, during the Kosovo War, the Swiftsure-class HMS Splendid became the first British submarine to fire the Tomahawk in combat.

2000: US Refuses Israeli Request to Purchase Tomahawk SLCMs

In 2000, the US government refused an Israeli request to purchase Tomahawk SLCMs because of international Missile Technology Control Regime proliferation rules.

October 2002: Low Rate Initial Production Contract Awarded

In October 2002, a Low Rate Initial Production contract was awarded to Raytheon (RTX) for TACTOM.

2002: Spain showed initial interest in acquiring the Tomahawk system

In 2002, Spain was interested in acquiring the Tomahawk system, but the order was later cancelled in 2009.

2003: Royal Navy Fires Tomahawks During Operation Telic

In 2003, the Royal Navy fired Tomahawk missiles during Operation Telic, the British contribution to the Iraq War.

April 2004: UK and US Reach Agreement for New Generation Tomahawk Missile

In April 2004, the UK and US governments reached an agreement for the British to buy 64 of the new generation of Tomahawk missile—the Block IV or TacTom missile.

2004: Tactical Tomahawk Enters Service

In late 2004, the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) entered service with the US Navy. It takes advantage of a loitering feature in the missile's flight path and allows commanders to redirect the missile to an alternative target. It also added the capability for limited mission planning on board the firing unit (FRU).

2005: Spain showed continued interest in acquiring the Tomahawk system

In 2005, Spain was again interested in acquiring the Tomahawk system, but the order was later cancelled in 2009.

2005: Initial Interest and Planning by the Dutch Ministry of Defence in the Tomahawk system

In 2005, the Dutch Ministry of Defence showed initial interest and planning of the Tomahawk system.

2006: Tomahawk Block IV Introduction

In 2006, the Tomahawk Block IV was introduced, adding the strike controller which can change the missile in flight to one of 15 preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. Firing platforms now have the capability to plan and execute GPS-only missions. Block IV also has an improved anti-jam GPS receiver for enhanced mission performance. Block IV includes Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS), and Tomahawk Command and Control System (TC2S).

March 2008: Tomahawk Block IV Enters Service with Royal Navy

On 27 March 2008, the new generation of Tomahawk missile—the Block IV or TacTom missile entered service with the Royal Navy, three months ahead of schedule.

2009: Spain Cancels Order for Tomahawk System

Spain was interested in acquiring the Tomahawk system in 2002 and 2005, but the order was later cancelled in 2009.

August 2010: Navy Completes First Live Test of JMEWS

On August 16, 2010, the Navy completed the first live test of the Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System (JMEWS), a new warhead designed to give the Tomahawk the same blast-fragmentation capabilities while introducing enhanced penetration capabilities in a single warhead.

2011: Block III and Block IV Tomahawk Missile Costs

As of 2011, the Block III missiles were on British books at £1.1m and the Block IV at £0.87m including VAT.

2011: Royal Navy Fires Tomahawks During Operation Ellamy

In 2011, the Royal Navy fired Tomahawk missiles during Operation Ellamy in Libya.

2012: USN Studies AARGM Technology

In 2012, the USN studied applying Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) technology into the Tactical Tomahawk.

February 2014: JMEWS Development and Testing

In February 2014, US Central Command sponsored development and testing of the JMEWS, analyzing the ability of the programmable warhead to integrate onto the Block IV Tomahawk, giving the missile bunker buster effects to better penetrate hardened structures.

July 2014: US Approves Sale of Block IV Tomahawks to the UK

In July 2014, the US approved the sale to the UK of a further 65 submarine-launched Block IV Tomahawks at a cost of US$140m including spares and support.

2014: Raytheon Begins Testing Block IV Improvements

In 2014, Raytheon began testing Block IV improvements to attack sea and moving land targets, equipping the missile with a new passive radar seeker and multi-mode sensor. Raytheon estimates adding the new seeker would cost $250,000 per missile.

October 2015: Tomahawk Demonstrates New Capabilities

In October 2015, Raytheon announced the Tomahawk had demonstrated new capabilities in a test launch, using its onboard camera to take a reconnaissance photo and transmit it to fleet headquarters, before entering a loitering pattern until given new targeting coordinates to strike.

2015: Poland Expresses Interest in Purchasing Tomahawk Missiles

In 2015, Poland expressed interest in purchasing long-range Tomahawk missiles for its future submarines.

January 2016: Los Alamos Develops Additional Explosive Force Method

By January 2016, Los Alamos National Laboratory was working on a project to turn unburned fuel left over when a Tomahawk reaches its target into an additional explosive force.

2016: US Department of Defense Purchase

In 2016, the US Department of Defense purchased 149 Tomahawk Block IV missiles for $202.3 million.

August 2019: US Navy Conducts Test Flight of Tomahawk Missile

On August 18, 2019, the United States Navy conducted a test flight of a Tomahawk missile launched from a ground-based version of the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System, the United States' first acknowledged launch of a missile that would have violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

November 2020: US Army Selects Tomahawk for Mid-Range Capability

In November 2020, the United States Army chose the Tomahawk missile to fulfill its Mid-Range Capability (MRC), which will provide a land-based long-range missile system capable of striking both ground and sea targets.

2020: Royal Canadian Navy to Equip River-Class Destroyers with Tomahawk Missile

According to infographics released by the Royal Canadian Navy in 2020, the new River-class destroyers will be equipped with the Tomahawk missile.

2020: Los Alamos to use Corn Ethanol

In 2020, Los Alamos National Laboratory reported that it would use corn ethanol to produce domestic fuel for Tomahawk missiles, which also does not require harsh acids to manufacture, compared to petroleum-based JP-10.

September 2021: Australia to Acquire Tomahawks for Royal Australian Navy

In September 2021, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia would acquire Tomahawk missiles for the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) Hobart-class air warfare destroyers.

2021: Maritime Attack Capability Scheduled for Service

In 2021, the first Block IV TLAMs modified with a maritime attack capability were scheduled to enter service.

May 2022: Defense Department Contract to Buy Tomahawk Missiles

In May 2022, the Defense Department announced a contract to buy Tomahawk missiles for the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps.

June 2022: UK Announces Upgrade of Tomahawk Cruise Missiles

In June 2022, the UK announced it would be upgrading its Tomahawk cruise missiles to Block V standard through a £265 million contract with the US government; the missiles will be upgraded from 2024.

2022: Plans Announced for Acquiring Long-Range Weapon Systems for Royal Netherlands Navy

In 2022, plans for acquiring long-range and precision-guided weapon systems for the frigates and submarines of The Royal Netherlands Navy were announced as part of the Strategic Defence Review 2022, Tomahawk was identified.

March 2023: US Approves Foreign Military Sale of Tomahawks to Australia

In March 2023, the US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Australia of up 200 Block V and up to 20 Block IV missiles worth an estimated US$895 million.

March 2023: Netherlands Approves Acquisition of Maritime Strike Capability

In March 2023, the commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy announced that the project to acquire maritime strike capability had been approved by the Ministry of Defence, and would include both the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates and the Walrus-class submarines, including the Tomahawk missile.

April 2023: Netherlands Ministry of Defence Announces Procurement of Tomahawk Missiles

In April 2023, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence announced the procurement of Tomahawk missiles.

November 2023: US State Department Approves Sale of Tomahawk Missiles to Japan

On 17 November 2023, the United States Defense Security and Cooperation Agency announced that the US State Department had approved a possible sale of up to 200 RGM-109E Tomahawk Block IV and up to 200 RGM-109E Tomahawk Block V LACMs to Japan for an estimated US$2.35 billion.

2023: Dutch Ministry of Defence Confirms Ordering Tomahawk Missiles

In 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defence confirmed ordering the ship launched- and submarine launched versions of the Tomahawk to be installed on both existing as well as future frigates & submarines.

January 2024: US Approves Sale of Support Equipment to Australia

In January 2024, the US State Department approved the sale of support equipment worth US$250 million for the Tomahawk missiles to Australia.

July 2024: Joint Statement on Deployment of Long-Range Fires Units

On 10 July 2024, a joint statement of the US and Germany was released, announcing the beginning of episodic deployments of long-range fires units with conventional warheads starting from 2026, including Typhon missile launchers with SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles.

December 2024: Australia Successfully Fires First Tomahawk Missile

In December 2024, Australia's Minister for Defence announced that the RAN had successfully fired its first ever Tomahawk missile from HMAS Brisbane, making Australia the third nation to acquire and fire the weapon.

2024: Raytheon Sole Manufacturer

As of 2024, Raytheon remains the sole manufacturer of non-nuclear, sea-launched Tomahawk variants.

March 2025: HNLMS De Ruyter Launches Tomahawk Missile for First Time

On 11 March 2025, the air defense and command frigate HNLMS De Ruyter launched a Tomahawk missile for the first time off the coast of Norfolk, United States, marking the first time a Dutch naval ship fired this type of missile.

2025: MST Operational on Destroyers

In 2025, the U.S. Navy's Tomahawk program announced that the MST would be operational on destroyers by the end of September that year, with deployment to attack submarines to follow in FY26. All Block IV Tomahawks will be converted to Block V standard, while the remaining Block III missiles will be retired and demilitarized.

February 2026: RTX Announces Agreement to Increase Tomahawk Production

On February 4, 2026, RTX announced an agreement with the US Department of Defense to increase Tomahawk production to over 1,000 units per year with a 7-year production agreement. The FY26 Defense Appropriations Act allowed for this.

2026: Deployment of Long-Range Fires Units

Deployment of long-range fires units with conventional warheads will start from 2026, including Typhon missile launchers with SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles. This is a direct response to Russia's President Vladimir Putin's call to resume production and global deployment of intermediate range missiles.

2026: Japan to Deploy Tomahawk Missiles

The Tomahawk missiles purchased by Japan are planned to be deployed in fiscal year 2026-27 and will serve as a bridge until the deployment of indigenous missiles.