Black Tomahawk cruise missile seen for the first time in strikes against Iran. The US Navy has released the first images from Operation Epic Fury, illustrating a variety of actions so far, including RGM-109 Tomahawk Land-Attack Missiles (TLAMs) fired from Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. But one image in particular stands out — it shows a shiny black TLAM that we've never seen before, according to The War Zone 's editor-in-chief, Tyler Rogoway.
In the past, Tomahawk missiles were known for their traditional grayish hue, characteristic of almost everything we see in the US Navy. The variants shown in the current launches retain this standard color, which makes the appearance of the black TLAM truly new and intriguing.
Other images and videos from the strikes show the TLAMs in their standard gray color. (USN)
The dark color of this TLAM matches the characteristics of another missile in the US Navy's arsenal - the stealth AGM-158C (LRASM), known for its glossy black coating. Apparently, the black missiles were part of early test models, and possibly some operational versions. The most likely hypothesis is that the new coating is now being applied to the latest batches of TLAMs coming off the Navy's production line.
As for the new color, there are suggestions that it represents a special aerodynamic coating designed to increase the weapon's survivability, especially when hitting naval targets. This dark color could make it more difficult to detect the missile while it is flying low above the water surface.
It is possible that the coating also has radar-absorbing and infrared-suppressing properties, which would be a significant advantage. This is especially important for the TLAM, which has been in active service for decades and has been constantly improved to meet modern combat requirements, including the addition of low-observable features, including a nose curve that reduces its radar reflectivity.
This new coating is believed to be part of the upgrades included in the latest development of the Tomahawk maritime strike missile (MST), designed for maritime combat.
The Tomahawk Maritime Strike Missile (MST) is a sub-variant of the latest Block V Tactical Tomahawk (TACOM) and is also known as Block Va. While the Block IV TACOM has already demonstrated anti-ship capabilities, the MST offers a new multi-mode guidance system that includes an infrared imaging seeker. All Block V missiles also feature a two-way data link, allowing for course corrections and in-flight target updates.
A set of unclassified slides released by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) last year further confirmed the information about the black Tomahawk, including a slide depicting a dark missile.
LRASM seen before a test flight. (USN)
It is not entirely clear when the first MSTs were delivered, but if this coating was not applied to earlier versions of the missile, then we are likely observing one of the new Tomahawk variants in a combat situation.
Update from TWZ:
We also see a video of a TLAM missile with its wings pointing forward. If it is indeed a TLAM, this could be an additional measure to reduce its radar cross section and increase its survivability on the battlefield. It is also possible that it is an Israeli long-range cruise missile, but this is less likely.
Israel has the Popeye Turbo cruise missile, a nuclear-armed missile used for secondary strikes from diesel-electric submarines. It is possible that this is a conventional version of such a weapon.
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