Navy orders more Block IV Tomahawk cruise missiles

TUCSON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy is procuring more Tomahawk Block IV tactical cruise missiles from Raytheon under a $251 million award.

The missiles are to be produced for the Navy and Britain's Royal Navy for fiscal 2014 with an option for 2015.

"Tomahawk Block IV continues to be our nation's weapon of choice to defeat high-value targets and integrated air defense systems," said Capt. Joseph Mauser, U.S. Navy Tomahawk program manager. "With more than 2,000 combat missions and 500 successful flight tests, Tomahawk has proven its outstanding reliability and effectiveness."

The Tomahawk Block IV missile features a two-way satellite data link that allows strike controllers to direct the missile in-flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or another target. It has a range of more than 1,000 miles.

"Tomahawk's record of reliability, effectiveness and accuracy is unmatched by any other tactical cruise missile in the world today," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are working to bring even greater capability to this already sophisticated weapon."

Raytheon said delivery of missiles under the new contract will begin next calendar year.