The BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile. The Tomahawk can use a variety of guidance systems, including GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching. The Tomahawk fills the need for a medium- to long-range, low-altitude missile with diverse capabilities.

In September 2021, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia would acquire Tomahawks for the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) Hobart class air warfare destroyers. In March 2023, the US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Australia of up to 220 missiles.

In 2024, the RAN achieved a major milestone in realising an enhanced and lethal surface combatant fleet, with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile. Acquiring this capability significantly enhances the ADF’s ability to deter against any potential threat and keep Australians safe.

The integration of the Tomahawk strike missile into the ADF represents a critical uplift in Australia’s capacity to deliver impactful projection and hold a potential adversary’s forces at risk at extended ranges. As part of the Government’s shift to an integrated, focused force, the Tomahawk provides a credible long range, precision strike option that strengthens deterrence, enhances the lethality of Navy’s surface combatant fleet and contributes directly to the Strategy of Denial.

Specifications

• Function: Long-range subsonic cruise missile 
• Manufacturer: Raytheon Technologies
• Power plant: Cruise Turbofan with solid-fuel rocket booster
• Weight: 1600kg
• Diameter: 0.52m
• Wingspan: 2.67m
• Length: 6.25m
• Range: 1600 km
• Speed: 920 km/h
• Usage: Land Attack