Tomahawk

[Damocles]

Just like me - a few decades older but still learning new tricks and kicking ass! ;)

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/u-s-marines-can-now-call-in-tomahawk-cruise-missiles-for-close-air-support-2a8aa4a64428

[stormlion1]

yeah, but isn't this essentially a million dollar missile to take out a cheap ass enemy? Years back I remember them firing Tomahawks at cheap tents in the desert. A huge waste of dollars.

[Damocles]

Well, I assume in combat, they wouldn't be shooting empty containers on ships. :P

j/k, my guess is that you are pointing out that this is an expensive CAS mission. I assume that it would be used only when arty, helo gunships, and fast movers aren't available. For what we spend to train spec ops, LRS, and similar units, not to mention the opportunity to cost to stop the next 9/11, it's a nice capability that doesn't involve combat trains and massive logistical support.

More tools for the tool box. Doesn't mean you use it, but it's great to have if you need it.

PS: the reason Tomahawks were hitting empty tents in the old days may have been that they didn't have the capability to reprogram in flight. If you have to program the missiles 2 days in advance, of course you are going to end up attacking sites where the enemy has bugged out from. This new capability means we can shorten the planning cycle and hit tents when they are occupied, not empty.

[kato13]

I would hope it would be used on the right targets in areas where you don't want to risk an airframe the job requires 1000lbs of explosives.

You have hellfire armed predators now for smaller stuff.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

The other thing to consider is shelf life. It's certainly possible they used these missiles because they had been stockpiled for some time and this was at least a useful method of disposal.

[stormlion1]

The other thing to consider is shelf life. It's certainly possible they used these missiles because they had been stockpiled for some time and this was at least a useful method of disposal.

Use them or scrap them, right?

[swaghauler]

Doubt the shelf life issue. We shoot those things like they are .22s. There hasn't been a theater since the '91 Gulf War where we haven't launched at least a hundred Tomahawks.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Cheaper even than an F15-E.

I can't recall when it was but I saw something on Military Channel in the mid 00s about (Navy/USMC) EOD guys and they followed one team that was in-theater and among the various bits and pieces they were blowing up that day were Tomahawk bodies (w/o warheads). I mean...just, "Nope, throw 'em out."

[pmulcahy11b]

Damn, the kids today have all the best toys...(reaching for my walker)...