zimerman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Jacob Ben-david Zimmerman) (01/21/91)
From: zimerman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Jacob Ben-david Zimmerman) It is with mixed feelings of elation and regret that I have been following the Gulf war, but I have been grabbing everything on the tube of technical nature with glee. I was watching the Tomahawk launches off one of the BB's when I became curious about the propulsion and payload of the Tomahawk. My specific questions: 1) The missile is obviously launched by rocket booster, and from its exaggerated angle of attack, it looks like it's maybe gyrostabilized? In any case, what methods of propulsion, specifically, does it use for a)launch and b)flight modes? I presume it has some sort of jet engine...is this particular engine used in any sort of aircraft, or are they designed specially for the Tomahawk? 2) What sorts of payloads can the Tomahawk carry, and what weight? 3) Does anyone know how many Tomahawks a BB carries, if this isn't classified, and what sorts of warheads? Can the warheads be switched in the field, or are they preconfigured? Thanks! -JBZimmerman! ___________ |-The problem with reality, is it's taken much || | too seriously. -An Emotional Fish || ||acob Zimmerman!+> <zimerman@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> INTERNET === | <zimerman@PUCC> BITnet
smpod@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (Stefan) (01/27/91)
From: smpod@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (Stefan)
In article zimerman@phoenix.princeton.edu (Jacob Ben-david Zimmerman) writes...
/ In any case, what methods of propulsion, specifically, does it use
/ for a)launch and b)flight modes? I presume it has some sort of jet
/ engine...is this particular engine used in any sort of aircraft, or
/ are they designed specially for the Tomahawk?
The cruise engine of the Tomahawk is a small bypass jet specifically designed
for the the cruise missile since it will be a 'throw-away' item.
/2) What sorts of payloads can the Tomahawk carry, and what weight?
About one ton.
/3) Does anyone know how many Tomahawks a BB carries,
I think about 50 to 100.
/the warheads be switched
/ in the field, or are they preconfigured?
The Tomahawk is preconfigured but supposedly work is underway to allow this
to be done on station.