The Tomahawk cruise missile was first flown in the 1970's nad it is getting quite the technology refresh. From Popular Mechanics:
The Tomahawk Missile Gets Smarter—and Deadlier
In late July, Congress actually agreed on something: House and Senate committees announced plans to add $82 million for Tomahawk cruise missile production in 2015. The venerable cruise missile is coming back, and coming back smarter and stronger.
The technology in question:
To hunt prey on the move, the Tomahawk needed new eyes—what experts call an electronic support measure, or ESM. This basically means the missile will get an antenna that picks up the target's electromagnetic signature, such as radar and radio emissions. The missile can identify a target by the electromagnetic signature the target emits, such as the radio waves coming from a radar. When the missile gets close, a radiofrequency seeker switches on; it can also automatically and more confidently identify a target by its emissions. And there will be a two-way satellite link that enables controllers to redirect the missile while it's flying. Donelson says all of these systems will be demonstrated in early 2015.
The missile also needed new teeth. The Pentagon developed the Joint Multi-Effects Warhead System (JMEWS), a shaped charge that will enable the Tomahawk to expand its current target set by using leftover fuel to destroy large building complexes (the fuel burns after the warhead penetrates the target). The new warhead can be tailored to detonate against different kinds of targets—even while the missile is in flight.
Plans are to keep her flying until 2040. Godspeed little missle - keep us out of harms way.
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