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Nuclear facilities

US Launches Tomahawk Missiles in Operation Midnight Hammer Against Iran's Nuclear Facilities

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

US military forces launched a total of 36 Tomahawk missiles, including six 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs, in a surprise operation against Iran's main nuclear facilities. The operation was conducted in coordination with Israel's conflict with Iran, with the missiles fired from US Navy submarines located approximately 400 miles away from the target sites. The Tomahawk missiles have been a central part of the US military's arsenal for decades, known for their precision and stealth capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US Navy, designed for precision strikes on land-based targets.
  • Tomahawks are launched from ships or submarines through a Vertical Launch System and have a range of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 miles (1,550 to 2,500 km).
  • The missiles are guided by advanced GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour mapping, allowing them to maintain a margin of error of just 10 meters.
  • Tomahawks were first deployed in combat during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and have since been used in several major conflicts.
  • The cost of each Tomahawk missile is approximately $2 million.
  • The operation, code-named Operation Midnight Hammer, was conducted in coordination with Israel's conflict with Iran.
  • US Navy submarines, located approximately 400 miles away from the target sites, fired the Tomahawk missiles.

Statistics:

  • 36 Tomahawk missiles were launched in the operation, including six 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs.
  • The missiles had a range of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 miles (1,550 to 2,500 km).
  • The cost of each Tomahawk missile is approximately $2 million.
  • The Tomahawk missiles have a length of 18.3 feet and weigh approximately 3,200 pounds (4,400 with booster).
  • The operation marked the latest major use of Tomahawk cruise missiles by the US military.

Sources:

  • Fox News
  • Hindustan Times, "US launches Tomahawk missiles against Iran's nuclear facilities"

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