US Navy,
A US Navy Tomahawk Block III cruise missile was Torpedo tube launched today from the USS Connecticut (SSN-22), while underway in the Atlantic Ocean.
Seconds after launch from the USS Connecticut, the test-configured Tomahawk transitioned to cruise flight and made landfall on IR-033. The missile successfully flew about 602 nautical miles, transitioning the state of Florida. It then entered the Gulf of Mexico, and made a button hook into the Eglin AFB test range, where it performed a simulated Programmed Warhead Detonation delivery on a target on the test range, followed by an automatic parachute recovery. This mission exercised GPS only navigation updates.
Safety chase aircraft were provided by the 46th Test Wing’s 40th Flight Test Squadron, based at Eglin AFB. Chase aircraft were flown by a combined Air Force and Navy crew from the 40th FLTS and from the Navy VX-30 and VX-31 Test Squadrons, based at Point Mugu and China Lake, Calif. This was the 449th flight test of a Tomahawk missile.
As in all Tomahawk flight tests, air safety was carefully planned in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. For safety purposes, the Tomahawk could have been guided by commands from safety chase aircraft. Additionally, alternate safe landing zones were planned along the entire flight path.
