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BGM-109 Tomahawk
Photo: U.S. Navy derivative work: The High Fin Sperm Whale · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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BGM-109Tomahawk

Land-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) · United States · 1983
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BGM-109Tomahawk

BGM-109 Tomahawk
BGM-109 Tomahawk Photo: U.S. Navy derivative work: The High Fin Sperm Whale · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Range
70
Accuracy
75
Low-Observability
30
Lethality
70
Terrain-Following Guidance
80
Counter-Measure Resistance
50
Payload Versatility
80
Reliability
75
Technology
70
Strategic Value
85
Origin United States
ManufacturerGeneral Dynamics, Raytheon, McDonnell Douglas
CategoryLand-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM)
EraCold War
In service1983
Operators3 countries
Quantity10,000
Data Quality87%
66
Land-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) MASS Rating
5/6
Cold War
25/61
All-Time
Land-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) · 10 axes scored
Range
70
Accuracy
75
Low-Observability
30
Lethality
70
Terrain-Following Guidance
80
Counter-Measure Resistance
50
Payload Versatility
80
Reliability
75
Technology
70
Strategic Value
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the land-attack cruise missiles (lacm) category.
01 / Overview
BGM-109 Tomahawk
Production
1983–
Quantity
10,000
Unit Price (current)
$9.1M↗ 194% inflation · 1986→2025
Original Price
$3.1M (1986)
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
LAND-ATTACK CRUISE MISSILES (LACM) · COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
65
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$9.1M
Original: $3.1M (1986)
Inflation: +%194
66
land-attack cruise missiles (lacm) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the land-attack cruise missiles (lacm) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • Service Entry Year1983
  • Length5.56 m
  • Diameter518 mm
  • Launch Weight1,315 kg
  • In ServiceYes
▣Propulsion2MOD.2
◇Performance6MOD.6
  • Maximum Range1,666 km
  • Top Speed255 m/s
  • Top Speed (Mach)0.74 Mach
  • Cruise Altitude40 m
  • Maximum G9
  • HypersonicNo
◆Warhead4MOD.4
▤Launch Platform5MOD.5
⬢Production5MOD.5
  • Total Production10,000
  • Unit Cost3,100,000 USD
  • Operators4
  • Variants15
  • Production Start1,979 year
▲Warhead Detail2MOD.2
  • Detonation Mechanism / FuzeFMU-148 since TLAM Block III, others for special applications
  • Explosive Filler Weight265 kg
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1983Production started
43
years in service
10,000
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
BGM-109 TOMAHAWK · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE10terms
The initial propulsion phase where a high-thrust motor accelerates the missile to operational velocity.
Fire-and-forget refers to a missile guidance system where the missile guides itself to its target after launch, requiring no further input from the operator.
Launched from a ground-based platform, such as a vehicle or tripod, rather than an aircraft or other airborne system.
Guidance system combining inertial navigation (self-contained motion tracking) with GPS (satellite-based positioning) for precise trajectory correction in ballistic missiles.
A guidance method that uses inertial navigation sensors together with satellite‑based GPS signals to determine a missile’s position and steer it toward a target.
Launched from naval platforms, such as ships or submarines.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
A proximity fuze is a detonation mechanism in ATGMs that triggers when the missile approaches within a set distance of a target, using sensors like radar or laser to detect proximity.
Sea‑skimming is a low‑altitude flight profile in which a missile or projectile flies close to the sea surface to minimize radar detection and increase survivability.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Land-Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) entry →