OREANDA-NEWS. August 06, 2015. The U.S. Navy and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) demonstrated new capabilities for the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile in a successful flight test conducted from the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG-68).

The test proved that the Block IV can operate with an improved, more flexible mission planning capability. 

"Together with our U.S. Navy partners, we continue to modernize the Tomahawk Baseline IV weapon system to outpace threats and provide warfighters with a tactical edge," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "Tomahawk continues to be our nation's weapon of choice for long-range, precision strikes against high-value targets."

The flight test validated recent updates to the mission planning system software, enabling planners to more rapidly design dynamic missions. This was also the first significant software update to the tactical Tomahawk missile in more than five years.

The mission missile scored a direct hit on its target. These capabilities will be disseminated throughout the fleet for use in overseas contingency operations.

About Tomahawk

The U.S. Navy has conducted more than 70 successful Tomahawk flight tests since 2006. The cruise missile has been employed in combat more than 2000 times since it was introduced. Tomahawk is the key weapon used by U.S. and British forces in defeating integrated air defense systems and striking high value fixed and mobile targets in support of national policy.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of \\$23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cybersecurity and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.