A Tomahawk missile mid-flight. Photo: Raytheon

[Via Satellite 01-14-2014] As part of its ninth Block IV full-rate fiscal year 2012 production contract, Raytheon has transported the 3,000th Tomahawk Block IV missile to the U.S. Navy. The Navy continues to purchase Tomahawk missiles via the FY2013 budget, and negotiations are ongoing for next year’s production contract.

Tomahawk Block IV missiles include a two-way satellite data-link that enables a strike controller. This new feature allows the Navy to redirect the missile in-flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or more critical targets. The Tomahawk is employed from both surface and sub-surface platforms, and more than 2,000 have been expended in real-world operations.