Raytheon Studies Supersonic Tomahawk

Given its relatively low speed, less than Mach 2.5, this is much easier than some of the high supersonic (Mach 3+) and hypersonic vehicles (Mach 5+).

The lower speed eliminates a whole bunch of leading/bleeding edge technologies which are EXPENSIVE and time consuming.

Raytheon Studies Supersonic Tomahawk

Raytheon Studies Supersonic Tomahawk
Aviation Week & Space Technology
06/18/2007, page 56

Douglas Barrie
London

Raytheon studies supersonic cruise missile within Tomahawk infrastructure constraints

Printed headline: High-Speed Shortcut

Raytheon is studying a "Supersonic Tomahawk" concept it believes could offer the U.S. Navy a quick path to fielding a comparatively high-speed conventional strike weapon.

After 18 months of company-funded concept development, Raytheon has submitted preliminary study work to the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR).

"We decided to look at what we could do from a Raytheon viewpoint. . . .Could you design a supersonic Tomahawk to fit . . . in the current tube," says Harry Schulte, vice president of strike weapons at Raytheon Missile Systems.

One aim was to examine whether the constraints of fitting within the existing Tomahawk launch-tube would place unacceptable limitations on a supersonic weapon's performance in terms of range. "Could we live with the constraints?" says Schulte.

The 1,000-mi.-range subsonic Tomahawk has a cruise speed of about 0.8 Mach. While a supersonic weapon based on the "same" airframe size would not give a similar range, Schulte says the figures came back suggesting 600-650-mi. ranges were achievable.

The Supersonic Tomahawk concept indicates a clear lineage to its subsonic origins. Credit: RAYTHEON

The company discussed with engine manufacturer Williams propulsion options for the design concept. The design studies suggested that a cruise speed of Mach 2 to Mach 2.2 was viable.
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