But what does it mean? Putting PGS into the VLS does something far more interesting than just “add capability”. It changes everything. PGS on a surface ship transforms the largely defensive nature of the U.S. surface combatant/carrier escort to, well, “offense”. And that shift from the “Missile Defense” destroyer or “Air Defense” cruiser of old to a “Global Strike Combatant” will pose a real conceptual challenge for everybody–from those walking Aegis deckplates to any potential adversaries. The idea that America’s 7,804 VLS cells may soon gain the ability to rain almost instant havoc on targets some 2,000 nm away should put a bit of a damper on those who counted on overwhelming a hunkered-down and relatively passive “defense-oriented” AEGIS fleet. It’s a big deal. You heard it here first–A shift of the U.S. surface combatant fleet from defense to offense is a real game changer.Craig is pumping up the value of every Burke class DDG being able to provide offensive firepower...he even goes on to claim that its a game changer but in reality he over blows the issue. This is simply an evolution of the Tomahawk. That missile is now too slow for the threat environment. All they're doing is developing a missile that gets back the advantage that was had when that missile system first came online.
| A BGM-109 Tomahawk | |
| Type | Long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  United
States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1983-present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics (initially) Raytheon/McDonnell Douglas |
| Unit cost | $US 569,000[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,440 kilograms (3,200 lb) |
| Length | Without booster: 5.56 m
With booster: 6.25 m |
| Diameter | 0.52 m |
|
|
|
| Warhead | Conventional: 1,000 lb (450 kg) Bullpup, or submunitions dispenser with BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomb, or a 200kt (840 Tj) W80 nuclear device (inactivated in accordance with SALT) |
| Detonation mechanism |
FMU-148 since TLAM Block III, others for special applications |
|
|
|
| Engine | Williams International F107-WR-402
turbofan using TH-dimer fuel and a solid-fuel booster |
| Wingspan | 2.67 m |
| Operational range |
2,500km |
| Speed | Subsonic - about 550 mph (880 km/h) |
| Guidance system |
GPS, TERCOM, DSMAC |
| Launch platform |
Vertical Launch System (VLS) and horizontal submarine torpedo tubes (known as TTL (torpedo tube launch)) |
