US Navy to Deploy Anti-Ship Tomahawk Missile on Destroyers
The U.S. Navy is equipping its destroyers with a new anti-ship version of the Tomahawk missile, which will greatly enhance their naval strike capabilities. Traditionally, a land-attack cruise missile, the upgraded Tomahawk (called the Maritime Strike Tomahawk or Block Va) has been modified to target moving ships at sea. It adds a multi-mode seeker with active radar, infrared sensor, and a two-way data link. As a result, the missile can receive in-flight targeting updates and track maneuvering warships while flying low and stealthily.
Fleet Forces commander Adm. Daryl Caudle calls the new anti-ship Tomahawk a “game-changer” against a numerically superior Chinese fleet. The Navy plans to field these maritime Tomahawks on its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers by the end of September. Once testing is complete, submarines will begin carrying them in early 2026, said Tomahawk program officials. Raytheon (RTX Corp) will upgrade existing Block IV Tomahawks into the anti-ship variant, with up to 1,302 missiles procured for this effort. By using the destroyers’ existing vertical launch systems, the Navy quickly adds a powerful anti-ship capability without building an entirely new missile.
This maritime Tomahawk has an extreme range of roughly 1,000 miles (about 1,600 kilometers), allowing U.S. ships to strike enemy fleets from well beyond the horizon. The longer reach and precision guidance make it a formidable naval strike weapon against surface targets. In essence, each destroyer gains a new stand-off weapon to suppress or sink hostile warships. This upgrade complements other ship-killer systems, such as the new Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), providing commanders with more options and more ordnance in the event of Indo-Pacific confrontations. The timing aligns with the Navy’s broader strategy for the Asia-Pacific region. China’s navy is growing fast, and officials emphasize the need for high-end strike power over simply matching ship numbers. The anti-ship Tomahawk adds depth to U.S. naval strike forces, alongside carrier air wings, drone swarms (the “Replicator” program), and submarine torpedoes.
Transforming the Tomahawk missile into an anti-ship role equips U.S. Navy destroyers with a powerful new weapon. Adm. Caudle stated, “the more fungible you make a weapon, the more utility it has.” The upgraded Tomahawk effectively transforms every VLS-equipped destroyer into a long-range sea-control platform. This enhanced naval strike capability reinforces U.S. maritime forces in contested waters and aligns with the Navy’s evolving strategy against regional threats.