After World War II in the Western fleetsthere was a rather difficult situation. On the one hand, there were no problems with their number. On the other - there were difficulties with their qualitative composition. At that time, our country already had ships with powerful rocket armament, whereas the Western powers didn’t have that close. The basis of their fleets consisted of ships armed with old artillery systems and torpedoes.
At that time, it all looked creepyanachronism. The only exceptions were the cruiser (the prototype of our TAKR) "Long Beach" and the nuclear aircraft carrier "Enterprise". That is why in the late 60s feverish work began on the creation of guided cruise missiles that were able to dramatically increase the combat capability of the fleets. Thus was born the cruise missile "Tomahawk".
First experiments
Конечно, работы по этому направлению велись и до from that period, so that the first samples appeared fairly quickly, being based on relatively old designs. The very first version was a 55-inch rocket, intended for use with launchers of the Polaris type, which by then had already been supposed to be removed from service. She was supposed to be able to fly 3000 miles. The use of outdated launchers made it possible to get by with “little blood” when re-equipping old ships.
The second option was a miniature rocket21-inch caliber, designed to launch from submarine torpedo tubes. It was assumed that in this case the range would be about 1500 miles. Simply put, the Tomahawk cruise missile (USA) would be the trump card that would allow the black fleet of the USSR to be blackmailed. Did the Americans achieve their goal? Let's find out.
Contest Winners
В 1972 году (феноменальная скорость, кстати) уже was selected the final version of the launcher under the new cruise missiles. At the same time, the provision on the solely sea basing of them was finally approved. In January, the state commission already selected the two most promising candidates to participate in the full-scale trials. The first bidder was the products of the well-known company General Dynamics.
It was a model UBGM-109A.The second sample was produced by a little-known (and poorly lobbied) firm LTV: the UBGM-110A rocket. In 1976, they began to test, launching running models from the board of the submarine. In general, none of the highest ranks and did not hide that the winners in absentia have already recognized the model 109A.
New recommendations
In early March, the State Commissionthe decision is made that the Tomahawk cruise missile should be the main caliber of all US surface ships. Four years later, the first launch of the prototype from the US destroyer takes place. In June of the same year, successful flight tests of the boating version of the rocket took place. This was a big event in the history of the entire history of the fleet, since it was the first launch from the board of a submarine. Over the next three years, new weapons have been intensively studied and tested, and about a hundred launches were made.
In 1983, Pentagon officials said thatThe new Tomahawk cruise missile is fully tested and ready for the start of mass production. At about the same time, domestic developments in similar areas were in full swing. We think that you will be curious to learn about the comparative characteristics of domestic equipment and weapons of a possible enemy during the Cold War. So, Tomahawk and Caliber cruise missiles, a comparison.
Comparison with “Caliber”
- The length of the body without the starting accelerator ("Tomahawk" / "Caliber") is 5.56 / 7.2 m.
- The length with starting amplifier is 6.25 / 8.1 m.
- Wingspan - 2.67 / 3.3 m.
- The mass of a non-nuclear warhead is 450 kg (US / RF).
- The power of the nuclear option is 150 / 100-200 kT.
- The speed of the cruise missile "Tomahawk" - 0.7 M.
- Speed "Caliber" - 0.7 M.
But on the flight range to hold unambiguouscomparison is impossible. The fact is that both new and old versions of missiles are in service with the American army. Old ones are equipped only with a nuclear warhead and can fly up to 2,6 thousand km. The new ones carry a non-nuclear warhead, the range of the Tomahawk cruise missile is up to 1.6 thousand kilometers. Domestic "Calibers" can carry both types of stuffing, the flight range is 2.5 / 1.5 thousand km, respectively. In general, according to this indicator, the characteristics of weapons practically do not differ in any way.
This is what characterizes cruise missiles.Tomahawk and Caliber. Comparing them shows that the capabilities of both types of weapons are approximately identical. This is especially true of speed. Americans have always noted that this indicator in their missiles is higher. But the latest upgrades of the Caliber fly no slower.
Basic specifications
A new sample of weapons made by aircraftmonoplane pattern. Cylindrical body, oval shape fairing. The wing can be folded and embedded in a special compartment located in the central part of the rocket; a cruciform stabilizer is located behind it. For the manufacture of the case are various options for aluminum alloys, epoxy resins and carbon fiber. All of them have extremely low aerodynamic resistance, since the speed of the Tomahawk cruise missile is very high. Any "roughness" with such characteristics are dangerous, since the body can simply collapse on the go.
To minimize the visibility of the devicefor locators, a special coating is applied to the entire surface of the housing. In general, in this regard, the Tomahawk cruise missile (the photo of which you will see in the article) is noticeably better than its competitors. Although experts agree that the prevailing role in providing stealth for locators belongs to the flight pattern, in which the rocket flies, making maximum use of the terrain features, and at a minimum height.
Characteristics of the warhead
The main "highlight" of the rocket is the warheadW-80. Its weight is 123 kilograms, length - one meter, diameter 30 cm. The maximum power of the explosion is 200 kT. The explosion occurs after direct contact of the fuse with the target. When using a nuclear weapon, the diameter of destruction in a densely populated area can reach three kilometers.
One of the most important features thatthe Tomahawk cruise missile is different, is a very high pointing accuracy, due to which this munition is capable of hitting small-sized and maneuvering targets. The probability of this is from 0.85 to 1.0 (depending on the base and the place of launch). Simply put, the accuracy of the Tomahawk cruise missile is very high. A non-nuclear warhead has some armor-piercing effect; it may include up to 166 small caliber bombs. The weight of each charge at the same time is 1.5 kilograms, they are all in 24 bundles.
Control and targeting systems
High accuracy of aiming at the target is ensured by the combined work of several telemetric systems at once:
- The simplest of them is inertial.
- For following the outlines of the terrain is the system TERCOM.
- The DSMAC Electron-Optical Binding Service allows you to bring a flying missile directly to the target with exceptional accuracy.
Characteristics of control circuits
The simplest system is inertial.The mass of this equipment is 11 kilograms, it works only at the initial and middle stages of flight. It consists of: onboard computer, inertial platform and a fairly simple altimeter, which is based on a reliable barometer. Three gyroscopes determine the amount of deviation of the rocket body from a predetermined course and three accelerometers, with the help of which the on-board electronics determine the acceleration of these accelerations with high accuracy. This system alone allows you to adjust the course approximately 800 meters for each hour of flight.
Much more reliable and accurate DSMAC, the mostthe perfect version of which are Tomahawk BGM 109 A cruise missiles. It should be noted that for the operation of this equipment, a digitized survey of the area over which Tomahawk will fly should be loaded into the memory of the equipment. This allows you to set a reference not only to the coordinates, but also to the terrain. Such a scheme, by the way, is used not only by the American cruise missile "Tomahawk", but also by the domestic "Granit".
Information about launch methods and settings
On ships to store and launch this typearmaments can be used as standard torpedo tubes, as well as special vertical launch shafts (as for submarines). If we talk about surface ships, then they are mounted container launchers. It should be noted that the Tomahawk ship cruise missile, the characteristics of which we are considering, is stored in a special steel capsule, being “mothballed” in a layer of nitrogen under high pressure.
Storage in such conditions not only allowsto guarantee the normal operation of the device for 30 months at once, but also to place it in a usual torpedo shaft without the slightest modification of the design of the latter.
Features startup mechanisms
On the American submarines there are fourstandard torpedo tubes. They are located two on each side. The angle of location is 10-12 degrees, which makes it possible to carry out a torpedo salvo from the maximum depth. This circumstance can significantly reduce the unmasking factors. The pipe of each device consists of three sections. As in the domestic torpedo mines, American missiles are located on the support rollers and guides. Shooting is initiated depending on the opening or closing of the lid of the apparatus, which makes it impossible to “shoot in the leg” when the torpedo explodes in the submarine itself.
On the back of the torpedo tube is availableviewing window with which you can monitor the filling of its cavity and the state of mechanisms, manometer. There are also attached conclusions from the ship electronics, which controls the processes of opening the covers of the device, their closing and the immediate launch process. The cruise missile "Tomahawk" (the characteristics of which you will read in the article) is fired from the mine due to the work of hydraulic drives. One hydraulic cylinder is installed for every two vehicles on each side, it works as follows:
- First, a certain amount of compressed air is supplied to the system, which acts simultaneously on the hydraulic cylinder rod.
- Due to this, he begins to supply water into the cavity of the torpedo tubes.
- Since they are filled with water quickly, starting from the rear section, an excessive pressure is created in the cavity, which is sufficient to push the rocket or torpedo out.
- The whole structure is made so that at the same time withthe pressure tank can be connected to only one device (that is, two on both sides). This prevents the uneven filling of the cavities of the torpedo mines.
As we said, in the case of surface shipsused vertically located launch containers. In their case, there is an expelling powder charge, which makes it possible to somewhat increase the range of the Tomahawk cruise missile by saving the resource of its cruising engine.
Shooting process control
For carrying out all the preparatory stages and,in fact, the start-ups are answered not only by experts on the battle posts, but also by the fire control system (also known as CMS). Its components are located both in the torpedo compartment itself and on the command bridge. Of course, it is possible to issue an order for a launch work only from the central point. There are also duplicating devices showing the characteristics of the rocket and its readiness to launch in real time.
It should be noted one important featureAmerican naval compounds. They use a sophisticated automated adjustment and integration system. Simply put, several submarines and surface ships, armed with which there are Tomahawk cruise missiles, the performance characteristics of which are in the article, can act as a single "organism" and launch missiles for the same target almost simultaneously. Given the high probability of hitting, even a ship or an enemy ground grouping with a powerful and echeloned air defense system will almost certainly be destroyed.
Launch cruise missiles
After receipt of the order to start startspreflight preparation, which should take no more than 20 minutes. At the same time, the pressure in the torpedo tube is compared with that at the depth of immersion, so that the launch of the rocket would not interfere.
All required entries are required.firing data. When the signal comes, hydraulics pushes the rocket out of the mine. It always comes to the surface at an angle of about 50 degrees, which is achieved as a result of the operation of stabilization systems. Shortly thereafter, the squibs drop the fairings, the wings and stabilizers unfold, the cruise engine turns on.
За это время ракета успевает взлететь на высоту approximately 600 m. In the main part of the trajectory, the flight altitude does not exceed 60 meters, and the speed reaches 885 km / h. First, the inertial system provides guidance and course corrections.
Modernization work
Americans are currently workingaimed at increasing the range of flight immediately to three or four thousand kilometers. It is planned to achieve such indicators by using new engines, fuel, as well as reducing the mass of the rocket itself. Research is already underway in the field of creating new materials based on carbon fiber plastics, which will be very durable and light, but at the same time cheap enough for them to be put into mass production.
Во-вторых, планируется значительно улучшить target targeting accuracy. It is supposed to achieve this by introducing into the design of the rocket new modules responsible for accurate satellite positioning.
Third, the Americans would not mind increasinglaunch depth from 60 meters to (at least) 90-120 meters. If they succeed, the fact of launching Tomahawk will become even more difficult to detect. It must be said that domestic designers are currently working on practically the same tasks, but with respect to our Granite. In addition, work is underway to reduce the radar visibility of the missile and counteract the means of air defense.
For this purpose it is planned to use morepowerful computer systems for working closely with their interference suppression devices. If all this will work in the complex, and speed will be increased, then "Tomahawks" will be able to effectively pass through many echeloned air defense systems.
The unique opportunity of modern KRAmerican production is the possibility of their use as a UAV: the rocket can fly around the intended target for at least 3.5 hours, at which time it transmits all the data received to the control center.
Combat use
For the first time, new missiles were widely used inthe time of the notorious operation "Desert Storm", which was initiated in 1991 and was directed against the Iraqi authorities. The Americans launched 288 Tomahawks from submarines and surface flotilla ships. It is estimated that at least 85% of them have achieved their goals. In the course of numerous military conflicts in which the United States participated from 1991 to the present, they spent at least 2,000 cruise missiles of various modifications. However, only non-nuclear ammunition was used.
