Black Tomahawk Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time In Strikes On Iran (Updated)
The Navy has released its first photographs showing various actions taken so far from Operation Epic Fury, specifically the launch of RGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) from its home theater. Arleigh Burke class destroyers One image in particular caught our attention. It shows a glossy black TLAM, unlike what we’ve seen before.
We have never seen a black Tomahawk before. Missiles today are generally painted in the same hazy gray tone we’re used to seeing on just about everything in the U.S. Navy. All other TLAMs shown firing appear to be painted according to this standard scheme, so the ones we see actually look new.
Other images and videos of strikes show TLAMs in standard gray color. (USA)
The dark color of the TLAM in question matches that of another missile in the US Navy’s inventory, the stealth AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). These advanced cruise missiles are delivered, at least in part, not in a solid gray tone as seen on their ground-attack cousins, the AGM-158 JASSM, but instead in a gloss black finish. This appears to be the case for earlier test models and at least some operational models. Our best guess is that a very similar coating has been applied to the newest TLAMs coming off the production line for the Navy.
An LRASM undergoing flight testing. (USA)
An LRASM seen before a test flight. (USA)
As for why black is the new gray, as it seems, we would expect this to be a low-observability coating intended to increase the weapon’s survivability, especially in attacks against naval targets. It could also make it harder to detect the missile as it glides low over the water. Having radar-absorbing and infrared-suppressing features can also be a big benefit. This is especially true for TLAM, which has been around for decades and is constantly being improved to remain current and effective. This includes the addition of low observable features such as the chin bend in the nose, which reduces the radar cross-section from the critical forward angle. It is also worth noting that the small v-shaped gray part of this black TLAM is the entrance gate that retracts when the missile is accelerated to constant speed shortly after launch.
Block V TLAM seen with ‘jaw’ nose cone. (USA)
This new coating appears to be part of the upgrades featured on the latest Maritime Strike Tomahawk, which is likely also known as MST and has a long-range anti-ship function.
The Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) is a sub-variant of the latest Block V version of the Tactical Tomahawk (TACOM), also known as Block Va. While the Block IV TACOM already has a proven anti-ship capability, the MST has additional features that will optimize it for this role. This includes, most importantly, a new multi-mode reportedly guidance system an imaging infrared seeker. All Block V Tomahawks also come with a two-way data link; this allows them to receive course correction and other targeting updates, as well as being fully retasked in flight.
A series of declassified briefing slides released by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) last year lend additional credibility to the fact that the black-coloured Tomahawk is an MST. One slide mentions MST and includes a very low-resolution image showing a dark-colored missile.
An unclassified NAVAIR briefing slide providing an overview of the different elements of the Tomahawk Weapon System program, including the MST variant. USN
A close look at the image used to illustrate the MST portion of the 2025 briefing slide, clearly showing a dark missile. USN
It’s unclear when the first MSTs were delivered, but unless this coating is applied to past versions of the missile, this may be the first time we see one of these new Tomahawk variants in action.
Update:
We also see a video showing what appear to be TLAMs with forward-curved wings. If these are indeed TLAMs, this would likely be another measure to reduce the missile’s radar cross-section and make it more survivable and therefore battlefield-ready. It is also possible, although this seems less likely, that this is an as yet unidentified long-range Israeli cruise missile. Still in Israel’s hands Popeye Turbo cruise missile It is nuclear armed and used as a second attack deterrent on diesel-electric submarines. It is possible that this is a conventional version of that weapon.
Contact the writer: Tyler@twz.com
