After launch from the vertical launch system, the Tomahawk, equipped with an inert warhead, completed the launch sequence and transitioned to cruise flight. It flew a fully guided 869-mile course using global positioning satellite and digital scene matching area correlator navigation to a target site on the Naval Air Systems Command land range at China Lake, Calif.

The test was the first Tomahawk Block IV launch from USS Milius.

"Tomahawk Block IV provides our warfighters with the capabilities needed to successfully fight in the 21st century battle space," said Capt. Rick McQueen, the Navy's Tomahawk all-up-round program manager. "The successful test event shows that the Baseline IV Tomahawk Weapon System will maintain the legacy of weapon effectiveness that Tomahawk has demonstrated in every major conflict from Desert Storm through Operation Iraqi Freedom."

"This successful test of a surface launched variant of Block IV Tomahawk adds another arrow to the quiver of our warfighters," said Harry Schulte, vice president, Raytheon Missile Systems Strike product line. "This success is a credit to the dedication and outstanding cooperation of the U.S. Navy/Raytheon Tomahawk team."

A surface- and submarine-launched precision strike stand-off weapon, Tomahawk is the nation's weapon of choice for critical, long-range precision strike missions against high value, heavily defended targets.

Block IV Tomahawk, which achieved fleet introduction in May 2004, incorporates innovative technologies to provide new operational capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition, operations and support costs.

The new capabilities that Block IV Tomahawk brings to the Navy's sea strike capability are derived from the missile's two-way satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing battlefield conditions.

The strike controller can "flex" the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield awaiting a more critical target.

The missile can also transmit battle damage indication imagery and missile health and status messages via the satellite data link. Firing platforms, for the first time, will have the capability to plan and execute GPS-only missions. Block IV also has an improved anti-jam GPS receiver for enhanced mission performance.

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