USS Frank Cable and USS Florida execute Tomahawk TLAM reload at Naval Base Guam.

According to information published by the US DoD on July 14, 2024, the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida successfully carried out an expeditionary reload of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) alongside the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable at Naval Base Guam.
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The Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable and Ohio class submarine USS Florida. (Picture source: US DoD)

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a highly versatile, long-range, all-weather cruise missile developed for the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy. Emerging in the 1970s, it has seen continuous upgrades to maintain its strategic relevance. The initial development was spearheaded by the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, and General Dynamics was the original manufacturer, followed by Hughes Aircraft, and later Raytheon, which continues to produce the missile today.

The Tomahawk's design has evolved to fulfill various mission requirements, with different configurations targeting specific objectives. The missile utilizes a combination of GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) for precise targeting. Modern variants, such as the Block IV, feature enhanced capabilities, including in-flight re-targeting and real-time battle damage assessment. These features allow the missile to loiter over a target area, updating mission parameters dynamically and transmitting imagery before impact.

Throughout its operational history, the Tomahawk has been deployed in numerous conflicts. In the 1991 Gulf War, it was used extensively against Iraqi targets, demonstrating high effectiveness. In recent years, it has continued to play a significant role in military operations. For instance, in January 2024, the USS Carney launched a Tomahawk against a Houthi radar site in Yemen as part of a coordinated response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

With a range that varies depending on the variant, from 700 to 1,600 kilometers, and a maximum speed of approximately Mach 0.74, the Tomahawk remains a crucial asset in naval strike capabilities. Its ability to integrate multiple guidance systems and adapt to mission-specific requirements ensures that it remains a pivotal component of modern naval warfare​​.