U.S. Navy advances nuclear and conventional cruise missile programs

The U.S. Navy is advancing two major cruise missile initiatives involving the development of nuclear-armed capabilities and upgraded conventional warheads.

To restore the sea-launched nuclear cruise missile (SLCM-N) capability—which was lost following the retirement of nuclear-armed Tomahawks in 2013—the Navy has awarded five prototype agreements worth $743.6 million. These agreements, involving Dynetics (a Leidos subsidiary), Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman, cover missile development, systems integration, and launch canisters. The program aims for limited operational deployment by 2032, supported by recent congressional funding allocations.

Simultaneously, the Navy is moving toward low-rate initial production for the Joint Multiple Effects Warhead System (JMEWS) for the Tomahawk Block Vb. Raytheon is expected to receive the contract to produce this new warhead, which is designed to penetrate underground bunkers and fortified targets by combining explosive fragmentation with improved penetration capabilities. While the standard Block V Tomahawk costs approximately $3.64 million per missile, the Navy has not yet disclosed the specific cost, quantity, or delivery schedule for the upgraded JMEWS version.