Are Tomahawk Missiles Nuclear?
Tomahawk missiles are a type of cruise missile used by the United States Navy. They are designed to deliver a payload of warheads to a target, and have been used in various military conflicts around the world. One of the most common questions about Tomahawk missiles is whether they are nuclear. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide an in-depth look at the characteristics of Tomahawk missiles.
Direct Answer: Are Tomahawk Missiles Nuclear?
Tomahawk missiles are not nuclear. They are conventionally armed, meaning they carry a non-nuclear payload. However, some versions of the Tomahawk missile are designed to be nuclear-capable, which means they can be configured to carry a nuclear warhead.
Types of Tomahawk Missiles
There are several different types of Tomahawk missiles, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities. Here are some of the most common types of Tomahawk missiles:
• Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM): This is the most common type of Tomahawk missile, used for attacking land-based targets. It has a conventional warhead and is capable of delivering a payload of up to 1,000 pounds.
• Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM): This version of the Tomahawk missile is designed to be nuclear-capable, but it is not equipped with a nuclear warhead by default. It has a conventional warhead and is capable of delivering a payload of up to 1,000 pounds.
• Tomahawk Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM): This type of Tomahawk missile is used for attacking sea-based targets, such as ships and submarines. It has a conventional warhead and is capable of delivering a payload of up to 500 pounds.
• Tomahawk Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM): This type of Tomahawk missile is used for attacking sea-based targets, such as ships and submarines. It has a conventional warhead and is capable of delivering a payload of up to 500 pounds.
Nuclear-Capable Tomahawk Missiles
Some versions of the Tomahawk missile are designed to be nuclear-capable, meaning they can be configured to carry a nuclear warhead. However, these missiles are not equipped with nuclear warheads by default, and it is not common for them to be used with a nuclear payload.
Here are some of the nuclear-capable Tomahawk missile variants:
• W80-1 warhead: This is a nuclear warhead that can be used with the Tomahawk missile. It has a yield of up to 150 kilotons and is designed to destroy hardened targets.
• W80-2 warhead: This is a nuclear warhead that can be used with the Tomahawk missile. It has a yield of up to 150 kilotons and is designed to destroy hardened targets.
Comparison of Conventional and Nuclear-Capable Tomahawk Missiles
Here is a comparison of the characteristics of conventional Tomahawk missiles and nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles:
| Conventional Tomahawk Missiles | Nuclear-Capable Tomahawk Missiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Warhead | Non-nuclear | Nuclear-capable |
| Yield | N/A | Up to 150 kilotons |
| Payload | Up to 1,000 pounds | Up to 1,000 pounds |
| Range | Up to 900 miles | Up to 900 miles |
| Speed | Mach 0.8 | Mach 0.8 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tomahawk missiles are not nuclear by default, but some versions are designed to be nuclear-capable. The nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles are not equipped with nuclear warheads by default and are not commonly used with a nuclear payload. Conventional Tomahawk missiles are used for attacking a variety of targets, including land-based and sea-based targets.
