BGM-109 Tomahawk - LetsGoSeeIt.com

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BGM-109 Tomahawk Cruise Missle

BGM-109 TOMAHAWK CRUISE MISSILE

The Tomahawk is a long range cruise missile used for land attack warfare, launched from surface ships and submarines. It is designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds, piloted over an evasive route by several mission tailored guidance systems. First operational use was in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

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Raytheon Systems Company

Approximately $600,000

F107-WR-402 cruise turbo-fan with CSD/ARC
solid fuel booster

18.25 feet (5.56 meters), with booster 20.5 feet (6.25 meters)

2,900 pounds (1,315.44 kg), 3,500 pounds (1,587.6 kg)
with booster

20.4 inches (51.81 cm)

8.75 feet (2.67 meters)

870 nautical miles (1609 km)

550 mph (880 km/h)

TERCOM, DSMAC, and GPS

Williams F107
1978

History

Key to the development of the cruise missile, the F107 is the world's smallest high-efficiency turbofan. Its turbofan design allowed the low fuel consumption that enabled the cruise missile to obtain longer range. The F107 program evolved in 1972 from earlier Williams micro turbojets and turbofans used in small pilotless drone aircraft. Prototype F107s powered the first AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) in 1976. Originally producing about 600 pounds thrust, later variants in Tomahawk missiles developed over 700 pounds thrust (400 series model). Large scale production began in 1981 and over 5,500 have been produced.

Technical Details

The F107 is a simple and compact two-spool, low bypass ratio turbofan. Its low weight (139 lbs.) and low fuel consumption are equal to those of much larger engines, very difficult to achieve in such small hardware. Though it lacks an afterburner, the F107 generates 600 pounds of thrust, enable it to propel a 3,200-pound ALCM to approximately 550 miles per hour. The engine burns a special high-density aviation turbine fuel which has more energy for a given volume than standard fuels. The fuel is blended to endure harsh weather conditions and long storage periods.

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