10-04-2017, 09:30 PM
BGM-109 Tomahawk missile aerodynamic coefficients
The Tomahawk (US / t m h k/ or UK / t m h k/) is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile named after the Native American axe. Introduced by McDonnell Douglas in the 1970s, it was initially designed as a medium to long-range, low-altitude missile that could be launched from a surface platform. It has been improved several times, and due to corporate divestitures and acquisitions, is now made by Raytheon. Some Tomahawks were also manufactured by General Dynamics (now Boeing Defense, Space & Security).
A cruise missile is a guided missile used against terrestrial targets, so called because the major portion of its flight path is conducted at cruise speed (i.e., approximately constant velocity). Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy (i.e. small circular error probability). The dynamics of cruise are a result of aerodynamic lift (force), and the equality of the thrust or propulsion forces against aerodynamic drag and as a result there is no acceleration. Modern cruise missiles are capable of travelling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds, are self-navigating, and are able to fly on a non-ballistic, extremely low-altitude trajectory. They are distinct from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in several ways: the cruise missile is a single use weapon which is always sacrificed in the mission; it is not intended to provide aerial reconnaissance; and the warhead is integrated directly into the hull of the vehicle and cannot be separated.
The first cruise missiles to be deployed were the Nazi German V-1 of World War II. Advances in transistor and computer technology have contributed to self-correcting avionic and aeronautical designs that allow missiles to be guided in flight, as opposed to only at launch. These advances developed into guided missiles and guided bombs, and later into the modern cruise missile.